John Bruton
Question:33 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of files from his Department sent to the Moriarty or Flood tribunals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6073/99]
Written Answers. - Departmental Files.
Jim Higgins
Question:104 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Taoiseach the files, if any, sought from his Department by the tribunals of inquiry currently sitting. [7259/99]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:105 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach if any records were maintained in his Department by the IDA officials seconded to his Department between 1988 and 1992 in relation to their involvement in the passport for investment scheme; if so, if these records have been forwarded to the Moriarty tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7363/99]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:106 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach if any order of production was made to his Department by the Moriarty tribunal in relation to records arising from the involvement of previous Taoisigh in the passport for investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7365/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 104 to 106, inclusive, together.
On 5 June 1998 at my request, my Department forwarded to the chairman of the Flood tribunal a copy of a letter written under a false name and dated 29 May 1998, which I received on 3 June. On 22 June copies of correspondence from two other Departments arising from their initial examinations of the matter referred to in the pseudonymous letter were forwarded to the chairman. On 14 July 1998 copies of letters dated June 1998, but received in July, addressed to the Attorney General and myself containing an anonymous allegation of impropriety in a planning matter were forwarded by my Department to the chairman of the Flood tribunal. That tribunal has sought no files from my Department.
On 28 August 1998, my Department made available to the Moriarty tribunal copies of its records concerning a particular matter which the solicitor to the tribunal had sought by way of a confidential letter of 13 July 1998.
Records in my Department's files relating to naturalisation for investment are replicated on Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform files which have been made available to the Moriarty tribunal. While no order of discovery has been made in respect of my Department's records, the Department has signalled to the tribunal the availability of its files if at any time the tribunal wishes to access them. Additionally, on 2 and 4 March 1999, my Department brought to the attention of the tribunal a number of records relating to naturalisation for investment which were among miscellaneous papers of special projects officers formerly assigned to my Department from the IDA and the CII. These records were delivered to the tribunal on 5 March 1999.
My Department will of course continue to give any assistance it can to both tribunals.