Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be considered for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43879/09]

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 provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the Minister must be satisfied that the applicant is of good character. In pursuance of this condition, the Citizenship Division of my Department routinely receive reports from an Garda Síochána on each applicant.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division in January 2006 and the Minister decided to refuse the application. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to him on 15 June, 2009.

There is no appeals process under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when he is in a position to meet the statutory requirements. However, in doing so he should bear in mind the reasons for refusal of his previous application.