asked the Minister for Justice if he will state, in connection with the application of a person (name supplied) for a certificate of naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, the latest reasonable date by which representations raising objections to the application or otherwise may be accepted by his Department; and the period normally allowed for this process in accordance with accepted procedure or practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Certificate of Naturalisation.
43.
There is no fixed time limit in these cases. The limit is set by how long it takes to investigate the application, which is usually several weeks and which is invariably longer than would be necessary for any bona fide objector to bring to notice that he had an objection.
In the particular case referred to, the notice was inserted as long ago as 5th January, and I informed the Deputy two weeks ago that if he had any comment to make he should send it to me forthwith.
Would the Minister state the date on which the latest representations in this respect could be made?
I told the Deputy when he saw me personally that there is no time laid down. The advertisement in connection with the application was on 5th January and, apart from one other correspondent in addition to the Deputy, no objections have so far been received.
Is the Minister prepared to give special concessions to this man, whose name I have supplied?
I propose to treat this application in the same way as I treat every other application. I have an open mind and I will wait to see whether, as a result of the Deputy's question, objections in writing may be received. If there are no objections I shall treat the application as I treat every application. The objection appears to be to something he wrote in one of his books. I do not think that is a valid ground for refusing citizenship to a man otherwise qualified. He has had Irish connections with this country for a very long time.
Has he any special qualifications which would influence the Minister into granting him this?
He applied for citizenship in the ordinary way. He has submitted recommendations from responsible people. In so far as I have looked at the application, and pending any objections coming in as to background or character, nothing has so far been disclosed which would prevent him being considered for Irish citizenship.
Is the Minister aware that this man is the author of a certain book? Has the Minister read the book?
I have read portion of it. It does not purport to be factual. It is a form of writing which has been adopted by others. For instance, a man has written a book about the late Dag Hammerskjoeld suggesting he was a homosexual. That has not been taken as being factual. I put this book in the same category.
The statement made by the Minister is, I think, inaccurate. As a matter of fact this book has been written about prominent Irishmen and, in decency to those people——
The Deputy is making a statement.
——the man who wrote that book should not be allowed into this country.
There are a great many people who write books about Irishmen who should be put out of this country.
There are, and they may be over there with the Minister.