Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the order in which applications for naturalisation are dealt with; if any cases are being expedited; the basis on which this is done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1259/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for certificates of naturalisation are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest system for all applicants. Certain categories of applicant receive a faster decision as their cases are less complex and require less processing and assessment. These include refugees, spouses of Irish citizens and applications made on behalf of minors. In exceptional circumstances, I may expedite a decision on an application. Each application is assessed individually.

The average processing time from application to decision is now 23 months. More complicated cases can at times take considerably more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that timescale. There is a limit to the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.