Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2017
50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status and eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3697/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf the person whose details were supplied has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection in the State, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until they have fully completed the protection process. This is in accordance with Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015.
The International Protection Act 2015, which repealed the Refugee Act, 1996, was commenced on 31 December 2016 and introduced new arrangements for the investigation and determination of applications for International Protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) and cases involving permission to remain in the State. Such applications will now be processed as part of a single application procedure by the International Protection Office.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) wrote to all applicants in December 2016 to advise them that, insofar as it is required under the transitional requirement in the 2015 Act, they (INIS) would be in touch with them in January 2017 if the new procedures in the 2015 Act applied to their existing application or appeal. Applicants were also advised that they might be asked at that time to provide additional information to assist in the processing of their application.
Applicants for international protection are issued with a temporary residence certificate pending determination of their application.
The question of naturalisation does not currently arise in respect of the person whose details were supplied.
