Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the average delay in the processing of applications for citizenship; the reasons for such delays; if these delays can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34942/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. The average processing time from application to decision for the generality of valid applications for a certificate of naturalisation is currently 26 months and this has been maintained despite the substantial increases in the volume of applications received in recent years. This has been possible as a result of the allocation of additional resources to the division and the implementation of further refinements to procedures. The procedures employed to assess an applicant for naturalisation are summarised below.

Upon receipt, an initial examination of each application is carried out to determine if the statutory application is completed fully. Incomplete application forms are returned to the applicant for amendment. Valid applications are then examined to determine if the applicant meets the statutory residency criteria set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. Passports and other documentation are examined in detail and enquiries with the Garda National Immigration Bureau may also be necessary.

Further processing takes place at a later stage and involves assessing 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. Enquiries are also made with the Garda Síochána in order that I can be satisfied that the applicant is of good character. Depending on the complexity of any given case, these processes can take a lengthy time to complete. Once all enquiries are completed, the application is referred to me for a decision.

The Deputy will appreciate that the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is an honour and applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is given only to persons who satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. These procedures have been developed and refined over a number of years and I am satisfied that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalisation process.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a road traffic offence, a suspected road traffic offence or a non-conviction regarding a road traffic offence, are regarded as sufficient grounds for an applicant for naturalisation being deemed to have come to the adverse attention of the Garda and accordingly are denied naturalisation; if he considers such an approach to be unfair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34984/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The granting of Irish Citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour and not an entitlement. 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. It would be inappropriate for me to indicate what might or might not specifically constitute good character in this context as to do so could be interpreted as a fettering of the absolute discretion given to the Minister in the Act. However, I would nevertheless be concerned to ensure that the threshold of what constitutes good character is taking all things into account maintained at an appropriate level and as such is fair to all applicants having regard to their particular circumstances.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons granted citizenship status, by county of residency, since 2007. [35004/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Citizenship Division of my Department that statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to provide the information sought by the Deputy.