James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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517. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of foreign nationals granted Irish citizenship during 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2962/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The number of Certificates of Naturalisation issued in 2012 was some 25,000 and reflects the success of measures that I introduced when I came into office in March 2011 to address the large backlog of applications pending a decision that had built up over several years. At that time there were approximately 22,000 citizenship applications awaiting decision, some 17,000 of which had been awaiting decision for in excess of 6 months and many of which had been waiting for 2-3 years or longer.

Over the past 22 months there has been a major improvement in the position, despite a significant increase in the volume of valid applications received from 12,500 in 2010 to 19,900 in 2012. More than 43,000 decisions on naturalisation applications have been made since I came into office. It is my intention that we will continue to build on this success over the coming year.

The Deputy will also be aware that alongside the improvements in processing, in June 2011, I introduced formal citizenship ceremonies for the first time since the foundation of the State. The ceremonies, which are being met with universal approval, allow candidates for citizenship make their declaration of fidelity to the Irish nation and loyalty to the State and receive their certificate of naturalisation in a meaningful and dignified manner which befits the importance and solemnity of the occasion.