Unreasonable Delay In Considering Citizenship Applications

A consideration of the High Court judgment of Edwards J. in KM and DG V. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland and the Attorney General

The question of delay in public decision making was considered in the case KM V Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2007] IEHC 234.  The applicant in that case had applied for permission to remain in Ireland on the basis of his marriage to an Irish citizen.  At the time of the application visa permissions to remain in the State for the purpose of pursuing a course of study which permitted casual employment had expired and the applicant was therefore illegally within the State.  He was therefore was unable to work.  It was submitted that the applicant's inability to work caused significant hardship and prejudice and that a delay of 11 months in considering the applicant's application represented an unreasonable or unconscionable delay.  An order of mandamus ordering the Minister for Justice to make a