Written answers

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Citizenship Applications

9:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the length of time it is taking the Irish naturalisation and immigration service to process an application for naturalisation; and when a decision would be expected to be made for an application made in August 2006. [19588/08]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Since the Deputy has not provided details of a particular case, I can only set out the position generally. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. These conditions are that the applicant must: be of full age, or by way of exception, be a minor born in the State; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that I may, in my absolute discretion, waive some or all of the statutory conditions in certain circumstances i.e. where an applicant is of Irish descent or of Irish associations; where an applicant is a person who is a refugee within the meaning of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees; or where an applicant is a Stateless person within the meaning of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Stateless persons. If the Deputy wishes to furnish further particulars, officials in the Citizenship Section of my Department will advise him of the position.

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