Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 May 1991

Vol. 407 No. 9

Written Answers. - Naturalisation Applications.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

157 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if he has any plans to streamline the operation of the process for administering applications for naturalisation in this country, having regard to the 24 to 36 month period required currently to process such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

At the outset, I have to say that it is not accurate to suggest that there is a standard period for processing naturalisation applications such as is mentioned in the question. The time taken to process an application is the minimum time necessary to make inquiries to ensure that the legal requirements for naturalisation are met. There are, from time to time, exceptional applications which may be delayed considerably because of, for instance, the applicant's inability to provide the documentation necessary to validate the application. However, everything possible is done to keep such delays to a minimum.

Administrative procedures are reviewed from time to time in my Department and where improvements can be made, either through the introduction of modern technology or otherwise, they are introduced. I have asked that the procedure for processing applications for naturalisation be reviewed as soon as practicable to see whether it could be improved.