Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on shortening the period before which a person who is married to an Irish citizen can apply for naturalisation. [37758/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides for a shortened period before a person who is married to an Irish citizen can apply for naturalisation. The residency condition for standard applications specifies that the applicant has, immediately before the date of the application, a period of one year's continuous residence and has, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, a total residence amounting to five years. Where that applicant has an Irish spouse and has been married for three years, the residency condition is reduced to one year's continuous residence and, during the four years immediately preceding that period, total residence amounting to two years. The Deputy will appreciate that the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is an honour. In order to maintain the integrity of the naturalisation process, I do not believe that the periods of residence and marriage for spouses of Irish Citizens, as specified in that Act, warrant any change.