Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2017
72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5147/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 168 which I answered on Tuesday, 17 January 2017. The person whose details were supplied was also the subject of that Question and I have included a copy of my response below.
With regard to the residency status and naturalisation of the person whose details were supplied, you will be aware that 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.
Parliamentary Question No. 168
Question
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of an application in the case of a person (details supplied) ; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Answer
If 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The International Protection Act 2015, which repealed the Refugee Act, 1996, was commenced on 31 December 2016 and introduced new arrangements for the investigation and determination of applications for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.
