Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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320. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce a differentiation in the process for persons applying for citizenship (details supplied) who have been here for a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7014/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Minimum periods of reckonable residence are required and standards checks are carried out as part of the overall process. These checks are required, notwithstanding the duration of time a person maybe in the State.

There is also specific provision in the Act in relation to persons resident on the island of Ireland. Section 15A provides that, where the application is based on being the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen the requirements include that the couple are married or civil partners to each other for a period of at least 3 years and are living together and, immediately before the date of application, have a period of one year's continuous residence in the island of Ireland and, during the preceding four years, have a further period amounting to 2 years (i.e. 3 years in total).

It is also open to an applicant generally to apply under Section 16(a) of the 1956 Act where the applicant is of Irish descent or has Irish association. In such cases the Minister may in his absolute discretion waive the conditions for naturalisation set out under Section 15 of the Act, including residency. The onus is on the applicant to provide evidence of Irish descent or Irish association to the Minister for consideration.

The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.

As part of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service published Customer Service Improvement Plan, it is planned to improve the provision of services for applicants for citizenship through a series of measures including the introduction of on-line forms, on-line payments and customer feedback during the application process.