Jim O'Keeffe
Question:205 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports issued under the passports for sale scheme have been withdrawn; and his views on whether a case now exists for the withdrawal of many of them. [23049/01]
Written Answers. - Investment Based Naturalisation Scheme.
The scheme to which the Deputy refers is the investment-based naturalisation scheme which was ended in 1998. Under this scheme, citizenship by means of a certificate of naturalisation could be conferred on foreign nationals by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in return for substantial investment in the State. Persons who were granted citizenship in this way were eligible to apply for and obtain Irish passports. The question of revocation of certificates of naturalisation is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In the event of such revocation taking place, the persons in question would no longer be entitled to hold an Irish passport and they would not be afforded further passport facilities.