Citizenship delays: FOI and an application for an Order for Mandamus via the High Courts

[water_tank1]

Thought I'd chime in here with my situation ......

Applied May 2019

Nothing since then. Did my FOI and found that Garda vetting was requested in Nov 2019 - My application was last touched just before the second letter was issued and nothing since.

Second letter received Aug 2020 and nothing since despite several emails to the department with replies saying your application is in advanced stage ....

[yogaman]

I had applied for citizenship on Dec 02, 2019. Thinking of applying for a JR now.
Anyone had success with JR recently ? Please post.

[Shelter]

Hi guys

I sent JR letter to department through my solicitor 3 weeks and the department has negotiated the time with us. They said they ll process it within 3 months . They said that last week. Is 3 months normal or just an excuse to delay more ?

[usmanch313]

Hi

I received approval through out Judicial review . Solister send first notice in may and No Response
Then he lodge application to HC and application was accepted , and preceding start .


Before the Court decision application was approved
Thanks for this forum and every one who helped.

[Statusquo73]

Hi

I received approval through out Judicial review . Solister send first notice in may and No Response
Then he lodge application to HC and application was accepted , and preceding start .


Before the Court decision application was approved
Thanks for this forum and every one who helped.

My friend, congrats... Long waitings and stress.. I am glad that this has concluded in your favor.
Welcome to the CLUB.

[alhakeem]

Hi

I received approval through out Judicial review .

Congrats!

[Dub23]

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

[tejinderss]

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

Good luck. What stage is your application on (recent letter/ email etc)?

[Dub23]

Well according to the letter my solicitor got today it is:

"Your client's application for naturalisation is being prepared for submission to the Minister. I expect that a decision will issue on your client's case within a period of 12 weeks."

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

Good luck. What stage is your application on (recent letter/ email etc)?

[johnpromise01]

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

I still did not understand how. You applied in June 2020, which means your application is 1 year and 5 month and you have already initiated JR processing?

I applied in February 2020 and my application is now 1 year and 9 month. But i heard from people here that my application must have been 24 months without a decision without i can go for JR proceedings?

[tejinderss]

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

I still did not understand how. You applied in June 2020, which means your application is 1 year and 5 month and you have already initiated JR processing?

I applied in February 2020 and my application is now 1 year and 9 month. But i heard from people here that my application must have been 24 months without a decision without i can go for JR proceedings?

As far I understand, the poster's solictor only sent the warning letter threating that they would proceed with JR if decision not made soon enough. You can send the letter anytime

[Dub23]

Exactly that, my solicitor sent an initial letter warning that we are considering to start JR Proceedings.

A solicitor can send a letter at any time.

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

I still did not understand how. You applied in June 2020, which means your application is 1 year and 5 month and you have already initiated JR processing?

I applied in February 2020 and my application is now 1 year and 9 month. But i heard from people here that my application must have been 24 months without a decision without i can go for JR proceedings?

As far I understand, the poster's solictor only sent the warning letter threating that they would proceed with JR if decision not made soon enough. You can send the letter anytime

[johnpromise01]

A friend was partly refused FOI recently. She has never applied for FOI before and she's surprised with the HEO's decision . Below is the decision:

Decision

A decision has been made on your request by ........, Higher Executive Officer,
who has decided to part grant your request under section:
Section 15(1)(i)

15. (1) A head to whom an FOI request is made may refuse to grant the request where—

(i) the request relates to records already released, either to the same or a previous requester where—

(i) the records are available to the requester concerned,



They only attached copy of her GNIB registration dates. Is this normal?

On what ground can she request for this decision?

[MacTire]

I applied in Aug 2018.

I sent an email in April 2021 and got a reply in May 2021 saying same nonsense.

Then I sent a mail again in Aug 2021. In the meantime I sent a FOI request around 10th Oct 2021.

Then I received acknowledgement to my FOI around 22nd Oct 2021. And magically and coincidentally an email from Naturalisation Office followed in a week that my application had been submitted to the Minister for a decision...

What I would do, if I could go back in time.

Around 2 years after applying, send a FOI, wait a month for it. Then after receiving FOI, check it and if they didn't do anything, send a letter stating I received it and if my application is not processed in a reasonable amount of time, I will go for JR.

Covid or not, I have been working all the time as usual (not as usual, without childcare it has been disastrous to our well-being...). Anyway, they didn't get pay cuts or anything? They can't hide behind covid. Not today. They are not an airline or a restaurant. Docs can be delivered in digital format. PERIOD!

[johnpromise01]

A friend was partly refused FOI recently. She has never applied for FOI before and she's surprised with the HEO's decision . Below is the decision:

Decision

A decision has been made on your request by ........, Higher Executive Officer,
who has decided to part grant your request under section:
Section 15(1)(i)

15. (1) A head to whom an FOI request is made may refuse to grant the request where—

(i) the request relates to records already released, either to the same or a previous requester where—

(i) the records are available to the requester concerned,



They only attached copy of her GNIB registration dates. Is this normal?

On what ground can she request for this decision?

Also her refusal stated:

The records that have been refused have been either supplied by you or relate to correspondence received from you or issued to you and therefore it is reasonable to
expect that you already has access to these records.

Rights of Review

In the event that you are not happy with this decision you may seek a review of this
decision by writing to the Freedom of Information Officer, foi@justice.ie seeking an
internal review of the matter and referring to or enclosing a copy of this letter.

[Moh25ah]

A friend was partly refused FOI recently. She has never applied for FOI before and she's surprised with the HEO's decision . Below is the decision:

Decision

A decision has been made on your request by ........, Higher Executive Officer,
who has decided to part grant your request under section:
Section 15(1)(i)

15. (1) A head to whom an FOI request is made may refuse to grant the request where—

(i) the request relates to records already released, either to the same or a previous requester where—

(i) the records are available to the requester concerned,



They only attached copy of her GNIB registration dates. Is this normal?

On what ground can she request for this decision?

Also her refusal stated:

The records that have been refused have been either supplied by you or relate to correspondence received from you or issued to you and therefore it is reasonable to
expect that you already has access to these records.

Rights of Review

In the event that you are not happy with this decision you may seek a review of this
decision by writing to the Freedom of Information Officer, foi@justice.ie seeking an
internal review of the matter and referring to or enclosing a copy of this letter.

I know someone received the same reply from them
they refused to give her a copy of the application & the Correspondence letter for the same reason.

it is just one year between the Citizenship application date and the FOI Request, So maybe that is the reason.

Can I know when your friend submitted your Citizenship application & the FOI request??
Did your friend appeal that decision ??

[johnpromise01]

She applied in February

[johnpromise01]

A friend was partly refused FOI recently. She has never applied for FOI before and she's surprised with the HEO's decision . Below is the decision:

Decision

A decision has been made on your request by ........, Higher Executive Officer,
who has decided to part grant your request under section:
Section 15(1)(i)

15. (1) A head to whom an FOI request is made may refuse to grant the request where—

(i) the request relates to records already released, either to the same or a previous requester where—

(i) the records are available to the requester concerned,



They only attached copy of her GNIB registration dates. Is this normal?

On what ground can she request for this decision?

Also her refusal stated:

The records that have been refused have been either supplied by you or relate to correspondence received from you or issued to you and therefore it is reasonable to
expect that you already has access to these records.

Rights of Review

In the event that you are not happy with this decision you may seek a review of this
decision by writing to the Freedom of Information Officer, foi@justice.ie seeking an
internal review of the matter and referring to or enclosing a copy of this letter.

I know someone received the same reply from them
they refused to give her a copy of the application & the Correspondence letter for the same reason.

it is just one year between the Citizenship application date and the FOI Request, So maybe that is the reason.

Can I know when your friend submitted your Citizenship application & the FOI request??
Did your friend appeal that decision ??

She applied in February

[Moh25ah]

She applied in February

Is it Feb 2020 or 2021 ?

[johnpromise01]

She applied in February

Is it Feb 2020 or 2021 ?

February 2021

[johnpromise01]

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

I still did not understand how. You applied in June 2020, which means your application is 1 year and 5 month and you have already initiated JR processing?

I applied in February 2020 and my application is now 1 year and 9 month. But i heard from people here that my application must have been 24 months without a decision without i can go for JR proceedings?

As far I understand, the poster's solictor only sent the warning letter threating that they would proceed with JR if decision not made soon enough. You can send the letter anytime

You are right. I just received a call from my solicitor now that they've sent a warning letter to citizenship threatening them to make decision within 21 days or face JR. He said the department may not want to risk JR because we are family of 4 including myself who applied same day. Hopefully they'll give positive response and if not solicitor we send second warning. What do you think?

[tejinderss]

Hi All,

Just a little update...

I submitted my naturalisation application in June 2020.

In July 2021 I decided to submit an FOI request. I got my FOI file in August 2021. The only thing the FOI highlighted was the fact that the department requested Garda Vetting in February 2021 and that my record was clean. This was done before the E-vetting.

In October 2021 I decided to consult with a solicitor regarding JR proceedings. The solicitors sent the department an initial letter on 9 November 2021 and today the department responded and they said that they will be making a decision on my application in the next 12 weeks.

12 weeks is still a long time, but my solicitor reckons that they will honor the 12 weeks which means I should have decision by February 2022.

I still did not understand how. You applied in June 2020, which means your application is 1 year and 5 month and you have already initiated JR processing?

I applied in February 2020 and my application is now 1 year and 9 month. But i heard from people here that my application must have been 24 months without a decision without i can go for JR proceedings?

As far I understand, the poster's solictor only sent the warning letter threating that they would proceed with JR if decision not made soon enough. You can send the letter anytime

You are right. I just received a call from my solicitor now that they've sent a warning letter to citizenship threatening them to make decision within 21 days or face JR. He said the department may not want to risk JR because we are family of 4 including myself who applied same day. Hopefully they'll give positive response and if not solicitor we send second warning. What do you think?

I think its the best decision you have made. I am thinking of doing the same, I talked to solictor already, and I am just waiting for my FOI before solictor sends out the warning letter. We cannot be left in the limbo to wait for 4-5 years to get our approval. I have seen many people on this forum who got approval in 12 weeks time after the warning letter. So best of luck to you to you.

[Dub23]

Those of you who got a solicitor involved, when you eventually got your approval letter did it go directly to your solicitor or was the letter posted to you?

Thanks

[pluto1992]

Those of you who got a solicitor involved, when you eventually got your approval letter did it go directly to your solicitor or was the letter posted to you?
Thanks

Approval letter posted to me directly. On top of the letter it says: "The content of this letter is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in this letter only"

[Dub23]

Perfect, thank you.

Those of you who got a solicitor involved, when you eventually got your approval letter did it go directly to your solicitor or was the letter posted to you?
Thanks

Approval letter posted to me directly. On top of the letter it says: "The content of this letter is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in this letter only"