Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 25 February 2009, if guidelines exist on the way good character is to be judged by his Department and himself in assessing an application for naturalisation; if he will publish these guidelines; and the section in these guidelines in which it indicates that violating a no right turn traffic ban may allow him or his Department officials to conclude that the person is of not of good character. [10491/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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 if he is satisfied that certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the applicant must be of good character.

There are no guidelines relating to the judgement of good character. My officials make enquiries with a number of external agencies as part of the normal processing of applications. Enquiries are made with An Garda Síochána to check if the person has come to the adverse attention of the Garda since arriving in the State. Enquiries are also made to assess an applicant's financial status in respect of their ability to support themselves in the State. Enquiries with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs may be necessary in this regard. A submission is prepared by my officials in each case, I evaluate this submission including any recommendations expressed by my officials, and from time to time it may be necessary to seek additional information if the particular circumstances of a case require it.

Once I am satisfied I have sufficient information to make my decision, I then decide in my absolute discretion whether to grant or refuse an application based upon all of the information presented to me.