Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Citizenship Applications.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

989 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a full search has taken place for an application for post-nuptial citizenship for a person (details supplied); if a new application may be submitted and processed immediately with the need for new original documents to be set aside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30523/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I have been informed by officials in the immigration and citizenship division of my Department that, despite an extensive search, there is no record of an application for citizenship having been received from the person referred to. officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs, who process applications for post-nuptial citizenship from persons residing outside the State, have confirmed that there is no record of an application having been received in that Department. In any event, it would appear from the information supplied by the Deputy that the person referred to did not meet the statutory requirement of being married to an Irish citizen for three years in January 1998, when the application is stated to have been submitted.

It is open to the person concerned to submit an application at any time provided, of course, she meets the statutory requirements at the time of application. In order to uphold the integrity of Irish citizenship, my officials must ensure, as far as possible, that applicants for Irish citizenship are entitled to it and it will, therefore, be necessary for the person referred to supply the usual original documentation with her application. Applications for citizenship are dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.