Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014
151. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in the case of a person (details supplied), if he will confirm where an applicant for naturalisation holds a valid stamp 4, if the applicant may apply to have their stamp 4 permission amended to another basis prior to the expiry date of their current permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12347/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State on 16 December, 2005 for an initial two-year period, under the revised arrangements applicable to the non-EEA national parents of Irish-born citizen children born in the State before 1 January, 2005, more commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission was renewed for a further three years in 2007. His permission was renewed again by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), with the latest permission due to expire on 20 April 2016.
I am advised that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The wife of the person concerned has a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation and she will be invited to attend the next citizenship ceremony at which she will make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish Nation and loyalty to the State and receive her certificate of naturalisation.
I would advise the person concerned to contact his local Immigration Officer when his wife becomes naturalised with a view to amending the basis of his permission to remain in the State.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
