Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Naturalisation Applications.

John Perry

Question:

391 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will intervene on behalf of persons (details supplied) and have their application for naturalisation processed; if he will confirm receipt of the details furnished on 22 August 2000; if he will have it prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13678/01]

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

The information in question has been received from one of the persons referred by the Deputy in the context of that person's application for naturalisation. No application has been received from that person's wife nor would it appear from information on file that she is eligible to apply for naturalisation at this time.

In view of the large number of applications on hands, applications for naturalisation are dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. Extra resources have been allocated to the citizenship area of my Department which will impact considerably on the current processing time and I expect that I will be in a position to make a decision on the case of the person referred to before the end of this year. As soon as full consideration has been given to this application, I will advise both the applicant and the Deputy of my decision. It should also be noted that both of the persons referred to by the Deputy have been granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of an Irish born child, and the grant of such permission is not contingent on the making of an application for naturalisation by either party.