Billy Timmins
Question:486 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if this can be examined as a matter of urgency. [22299/03]
Written Answers. - Citizenship Applications.
A declaration of acceptance of post-nuptial citizenship from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 31 July 2003. The current processing time for such declarations is approximately eight months from the date of lodgement. Cases are dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be the fairest to all concerned and it is likely, therefore, that the processing of the declaration of the person referred to will be finalised in the early part of next year.
Tom Hayes
Question:487 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when persons (details supplied) will have their application for naturalisation processed and approved. [22300/03]
The applications for naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy are being processed at the present time. Officials in the citizenship section of my Department have almost finalised consideration of these applications. In that context, they have recently written to the applicants seeking additional information and when this information is received, it should be possible to submit them for my consideration. I will inform the Deputy and the persons as soon as I have reached a decision on the applications.