A backlog of naturalisation applications means migrants seeking Irish citizenship must wait almost three years for a decision, according to figures released by the Department of Justice.
Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan said the processing time of some 30 months was primarily due to the significant increase in the number of applications in recent years. While there were limits to the reductions that could be made in these waiting times, he has instructed officials to review the processes so they can be "streamlined" where possible.
There has been a sixfold increase in naturalisation applications in the past seven years. Some 6,608 forms were lodged last year, of which 1,234 were granted, and this compares with 1,004 applications - 125 of them successful - in 2000.
Setting out the reasons for the delays, Mr Lenihan said that before an application is referred to him for a decision, it is subject to a rigorous and time-consuming procedure to ensure the individual complies with residency criteria and that passports and supporting documents are valid.
With the help of Revenue and the Department of Social and Family Affairs, an applicant's ability to support himself financially is also checked, while gardaí are consulted to establish that a person "can be deemed to be of good character".
"The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is an honour and applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is given only to persons who satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria," he said in response to a parliamentary question.
"Having regard to the resources available . . . there is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved. I have, however, instructed my officials to undertake a review of the various processes in order that these might be streamlined further where possible."
Migrants can apply for citizenship if they have been living here for five years, are of "good character" and pledge "fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State".
However, major changes are to be made to the naturalisation criteria with the forthcoming Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill.
Under the new Bill, which is expected to be published next month, immigrants will be required to demonstrate "reasonable competence" for communication in English or Irish.
Mr Lenihan says language competence is an important measure of an immigrant's investment in his/her adoptive country.
