Citizenship Applications.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2009

Thursday, 2 April 2009

Ceisteanna (143)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

143 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the application for a certificate for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in view of the fact that the grounds for the refusal of this application are incorrect; and if he will take steps to correct all documentation in this regard and issue a revised decision based on the actual and factually correct situation. [13963/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the applicant must be of good character.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person in question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 14 November 2005. As the person concerned had come to the adverse attention of An Garda Síochána I decided to refuse the application. In making my decision I have exercised my absolute discretion as provided by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. There is no appeals process under this Act. Should the individual in question feel that the information provided by An Garda Síochána is incorrect, she should submit details in writing to my Department and officials in the Citizenship Section will investigate further.