Vol. 443 No. 8
34 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Justice, in relation to applications for passports in return for investments in the State, if a check is made by Gardaí in relation to the criminality of the applicant to prevent the use of the scheme for the purpose of money laundering; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
In the course of a reply to priority question today, I have already referred to the issue raised by the Deputy. The procedures in this area provide that each application for naturalisation is required by law to be made on the form prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 1956. The form requires that an applicant for naturalisation provide references from three Irish citizens to the effect that they are prepared to support the application from personal knowledge of, and intimate acquaintance with, the applicant and can vouch for good character. With regard to checks, it is not and never has been part of routine practice to go beyond the references submitted in support of applications linked to investments in the State. If positive references are supplied by three Irish citizens, they are taken as confirmation of good character. The form contains a statement to the effect that a false statement on the form is punishable by a fine of up to £500 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
In addition, an applicant is required to provide on the form particulars of any proceedings, civil and criminal, which have been taken against him or her in courts of law in the State or elsewhere. An applicant is also required to make a statutory declaration before a notary public or a commissioner for oaths or a peace commissioner to the effect that the particulars stated in the application are true. The question of considering an application does not arise unless the statutory declaration has first been made.
