Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2018
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all stamp 4 residency credits have been awarded and applied in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17364/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 18 December 2017. Processing of this application is on-going, with a view to establishing whether the conditions for naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, are satisfied.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 21 December 2017 requesting certain documentation with a reminder letter issued on 5 January 2018. Upon receipt of the requested information, the case will be further processed and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The records indicate that the person's permission to reside in the State expired on 21 July 2016. All non-EEA nationals are required to keep their permission to remain in the State up to date at all times, and to have such permission registered. Failure to do so may adversely affect an application for a certificate of naturalisation.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour 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 the 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.
