Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1345. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39555/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 25 June 2018. The application continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process.  In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. 

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.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1346. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 707 of 24 February 2021, when her Department will publish the good character criteria used when adjudicating citizenship applications. [39572/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently preparing detailed guidelines on the good character criterion, that incorporates various work streams, and research on other jurisdictions. Once the guidelines are finalised they will be published on the website of the Immigration Service of my Department.

When published, it is hoped that the guidelines will assist applicants to better understand the good character assessment criteria when making an application for citizenship.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, 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 therefore important that appropriate procedures are in place to ensure that the integrity of the process is held in high regard both at home and internationally. Section 15 of the Act specifically refers to good character.

Irish citizenship, and by extension an Irish passport, is one of the most sought after in the world. Ireland, in common with many nations, has a requirement that applicants demonstrate that they are of good character. What exactly good character entails evolves over time, not least to take account of the enactment of new laws. However, an applicant needs to have demonstrated a history of compliance with the laws of the land. An applicant's good character is assessed in a number of ways, including but not limited to:

- An Garda Síochána vetting;

- Home Country Police clearance; and 

- Adherence to the laws and regulations of the State. (This includes laws and regulations relating to revenue, social welfare and driving and transport). 

The application form for naturalisation specifically requires the applicant to list any offences and also provides an opportunity to provide additional details regarding any such offences. The fact that a person has committed an offence does not automatically result in their refusal. The individual facts of each case are assessed. Applicants who are refused are provided with the reasons for their refusal.