Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 7

Written Answers. - Passports for Investment Scheme.

Michael Bell

Question:

26 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for his refusal to disclose the identity of those who received passports under the business investment scheme; whether assurances of confidentiality were given to applicants under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17086/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Notice of issue of all certificates of naturalisation is published in Iris Oifigiúil in the prescribed manner. However, it has not been the practice to identify separately persons naturalised under the provisions of the investment based scheme.

There is no doubt that persons granted naturalisation under the scheme would have assumed that their business was otherwise being conducted on the basis of confidentiality and would not be the subject of any special publicity. It would certainly be of considerable importance to companies benefiting from such investments that commercially sensitive information, concerning their future viability etc., would be treated in confidence.