Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected position in regard to eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29035/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy.

A previous application was returned in its entirety on 12 June 2019 as it was deemed ineligible as it did not satisfy the residency requirements and was not accompanied by an application fee or supporting documents.

It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

Full details of the eligibility criteria and extensive guidelines are available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. 

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 I know the Deputy will appreciate that it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected position in relation to eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29036/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned has submitted written representations.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation.  All representations submitted will be fully considered in advance of a final decision being made.   This case is amongst many to be considered by the Minister at present and, as such, at this point in time, it is not possible to provide a specific indication as to when the case will be finalised. However, the person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.