Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the assistance available to a person (details supplied) to proceed with the issuing of a certificate of naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36869/16]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a case for citizenship will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36950/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 92 together.

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed. The records show that the applicant was requested, in January 2014, to submit certain documentation in relation to his application but that no further correspondence was received from him until October 2016. The records also indicate that the person's permission to reside in the State expired in December 2014. All non-EEA nationals are required to keep their permission to remain in the State up to date at all times and failure to do so may result in the individual being removed from the State.

Following the receipt of the recent correspondence from the person concerned a letter issued to him on 3 October 2016 requesting his national passport, endorsed with the relevant permission to reside in the State, and his Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) card. A reminder issued on 9 November 2016 granting him an extension of 6 months to provide the relevant documentation. Upon receipt of the requested information, or in the event that the person does not respond, the case will be further processed. I understand from INIS that applications are regularly received from nationals of the country concerned which are supported by appropriate documentation, including passports.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.