Peter Barry
Question:45 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to introduce legislation to cater for those people who applied for citizenship before 31 December 1986, but whose applications have not been dealt with.
Written Answers. - Applications for Citizenship.
Richard Bruton
Question:69 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons have been waiting six years for their applications to be processed under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1986, and that their cases cannot be resolved until he introduces amending legislation due to the fact that Irish officials were unable to process the claim within the date allowed by the original legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 69 together.
In the normal course of events, I could not undertake to indicate, by way of response to parliamentary questions, what particular legislative proposals I may have in mind. However, in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputies the position is that it is one of a number of issues which I am having examined in the context of a wide-ranging review of legislation relating to nationality and citizenship. Any proposals for legislative change which may emerge from this review will be brought before Government and, when approved, will be announced in the usual way.