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Citizenship Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2012

Thursday, 14 June 2012

Ceisteanna (115)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

116 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the updated position in regard to the determination of residency eligibility for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28872/12]

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Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State on 9 January, 2002 under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish born children. This permission was renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid until 1 March, 2013.

I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned in April 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. Considerable resources are deployed to process applications and these resources together with the necessary administrative arrangements are kept under review.

As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State 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.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

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