Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applicants for Irish citizenship whose applications are awaiting decision; the number of applicants whose applications are awaiting decision for in excess of 12 months but less than 18 months; and the numbers whose applications are awaiting decision for in excess of 18 months and not more than two years; and the numbers awaiting decisions for in excess of two years. [34830/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently approximately 21,500 applications for naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department that are still awaiting a decision. This is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years. Approximately 5,000 (23%) of applications are on hand for more than 2 years. Circa 16,500 (77%) are on hand from a current date up to 2 years.

A Certificate of Naturalisation is an exceptional and important document that facilitates a non-national becoming a citizen of Ireland. The making of an application for a certificate of naturalisation is an individual's choice. The granting of Irish Citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour and not an entitlement. Applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.