asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in dealing with citizenship application from two persons (details supplied) in Bantry, County Cork; and if he will ensure that there is no further delay.
Written Answers. - Citizenship Applications.
553.
The main reason for the delay in this case was that two people applied separately for naturalisation, each on behalf of self and spouse, on dates a year apart; it was not appreciated that they were husband and wife — to some extent this was due to the fact that they use different surnames. Each was told that the letter would be taken as fulfilling the statutory requirement that one year's notice of intention to apply for naturalisation must be given and that a formal application could be made 12 months after the receipt of the notice or thereafter. There was some further delay which I regret. The application forms have now been issued.