Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of certificates of naturalisation that have been granted to citizens of the United States of America and Australia by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46738/19]

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.

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 as well as international level.  It is important, therefore, that appropriate procedures are in place to ensure that the integrity of the regime for granting Irish citizenship through the naturalisation process is held in high regard both at home and internationally. These procedures are continually evolving such as reflecting the need to respond to changing international circumstances and also to ongoing service improvements due to the introduction of new technology and work practices.

The following table sets out the number of certificates of naturalisation applications that have been granted to citizens of the United States of America and Australia for the years requested by the Deputy.