Vol. 465 No. 6
225 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice the progress, if any, being made in processing the application for naturalisation of persons (details supplied) whose parents are Irish citizens; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10089/96]
Inquiries have been initiated in the cases of the persons referred to but I am unable to state at this stage when these will be completed and when I will be in a position to make a decision on the matter.
It might be of assistance to the Deputy and the person referred to if I outline the procedures involved in processing an application for naturalisation. Soon after the application is received, the documents submitted with each application (passport, birth certificate etc.) are examined, verified, and where all is in order, the original documents are returned to the applicant. A report is sought from the Garda in relation to the applicant's financial circumstances, his-her character and any other information that is deemed appropriate in support, or otherwise, of the application. The Garda usually conduct an interview with the applicant to obtain this information. Other inquiries related to work permits, tax affairs etc. may also be necessary. Finally, when all this information is received, the application is submitted to me for a decision. This process, because of all the elements involved, can take quite a while to complete.
I will write to the Deputy and the person referred to as soon as I have made a decision in the matter.
