Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Irish Citizenship Applications.
- Irish citizenship applications and grants 2 speeches
The Minister reported 300 naturalisation grants but said the number of applicants was not recorded and could not be compiled.
Dick Spring, Michael Woods
- Review of the Aliens Office 4 speeches
McCartan sought a review of the Aliens Office following a Supreme Court residency ruling; the Chair said this was a separate matter.
Patrick McCartan, Seán Treacy
- Citizenship refusals and application statistics 7 speeches
O’Keeffe asked how many citizenship applications were refused and was invited to submit a question. Members also queried the number granted and applicants; the Minister repeated that 300 were granted but applicant statistics were unavailable.
Jim O'Keeffe, Michael Woods, Patrick McCartan, Charles J. Haughey
- Aliens Office recordkeeping 4 speeches
McCartan alleged applicant statistics were withheld out of embarrassment and called the Aliens Office outdated; the Minister maintained that the figures were not recorded, and the Chair moved on.
Patrick McCartan, Michael Woods, Seán Treacy
asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have applied for Irish citizenship in the past year; and the number who were granted citizenship.
Comment on this
The number of persons who were granted certificates of naturalisation in the past year was 300.
Statistics are not maintained in such a way as would enable me to indicate the number of persons who applied for citizenship, and the examination of records that would be required to compile the information would involve a commitment of staff resources which could not be justified in present circumstances.
Comment on this
In the context of the Aliens Office and applications for citizenship, may I ask the Minister if the Department have reviewed operations there in view of a recent Supreme Court ruling giving the right of residency which, in time, can give a right to naturalisation, to two non-nationals who had to appeal——
Comment on this
This question is essentially statistical. The Deputy is bringing in extraneous matters worthy of separate questions.
Comment on this
May I ask the Minister how many applications for citizenship were refused last year?
Comment on this
If the Deputy puts down a question on that matter I will be glad to get the answer for him. Deputy Spring's question only asked how many people applied for Irish citizenship and the number that were granted.
Comment on this
The number of persons who were granted certificates of naturalisation was 300 and the number of persons who applied——
Comment on this
In the second part of my reply I said that information is not kept in such a way as to provide that information.
Comment on this
I repeat that the question is essentially statistical. Let us deal with Question No. 31.