Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is appropriate that the name and addresses of those who have been granted naturalisation by the State should be available to the general public and beyond, via the Internet (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34997/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Section 18(2) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 states that "A certificate of naturalisation shall be in the prescribed form and be issued on payment of the prescribed fee, and notice of issue shall be published in the prescribed manner in Iris Oifigiúil".

The prescribed manner is as set out in S.I. No. 216/1956. It must include the name of the person naturalised, their address, the date of the certificate and whether the person was of full age or a minor. The on-line availability of Iris Oifigiúil is not a matter which falls within the remit of my Department.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite an application for the naturalisation of persons (details supplied) whose parents are recently naturalised Irish citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35009/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for a certificate of naturalisation on behalf of the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in September 2008.

Applications on behalf of minors are dealt with by a separate unit in the Citizenship Section. Because they generally require less processing than standard adult applications, it is usually possible to finalise them more quickly. Based on current processing trends, it is expected that the applications on behalf of the persons concerned will be processed in February 2009.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will put in place a scheme whereby persons who are recently naturalised Irish citizens can have the same status conferred on their dependent children within a reasonable timeframe in view of the difficulties which their separate legal status poses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35010/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the granting of Irish Citizenship through naturalisation is an honour and applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and that it is given only to persons who satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Applications on behalf of minors are dealt with by a separate unit in the Citizenship Section of my Department. Because they generally require less processing than standard adult applications, it is usually possible to finalise them more quickly.

All applications for certificates of naturalisation on behalf of minors are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.

I am satisfied that the current arrangements for assessing applications on behalf of minors are appropriate and that decisions are being provided within a reasonable timeframe.