Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2006
311 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for residency here by a person (details supplied); if this person can apply for citizenship while awaiting the outcome to the application for residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7368/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person in question arrived in the State on a study visa on 2 October 2000. She returned to her country of origin in January 2001 and then returned to the State with her daughter on a visit visa on 5 July 2001. This visit visa was extended to 31 January 2002. The person in question made an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of her marriage to an Irish national on 22 August 2005. This was received in my Department in October 2005 and will be processed in due course. Applications of this type are dealt with in strict chronological order, in fairness to all such applicants and currently take 16 months to process. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State.
In respect of the citizenship issue, the person in question is not eligible at this time to make an application for a certificate of naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004. Further information on the naturalisation process may be obtained from my Department's website, www.justice.ie, or by telephoning the citizenship section helpline on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lo-call 1890 551 500 or 01 6167700.
