Mary Lou McDonald
Question:164. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current wait times for applications for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14100/17]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2017
Questions (164)
Written answers
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it remains committed to meeting the target in place to process 70% of all standard non-complex cases within six months of receipt of applications.
However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that for a broad range of reasons some cases will take longer than others to process. It is a statutory requirement that, inter alia, applicants for naturalisation be of good character. In some instances that can be established relatively quickly and in other cases completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. As a result there will always be a proportion of cases that take longer than the norm to process.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.