Vol. 558 No. 2
100 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has proposals to revoke any of the naturalisations granted under the passports for sale scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23634/02]
Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, empowers the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to revoke a certificate of naturalisation in a number of specified circumstances. Those circumstances include cases where: the issue of the certificate was procured by fraud, misrepresentation, whether innocent or fraudulent, or concealment of material facts or circumstances; or the person to whom it was granted has, by any overt act, shown himself to have failed in his duty of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State; or the person to whom it is granted is also, under the law of a country at war with the State, a citizen of that country; or the person to whom it is granted has by any voluntary act other than marriage acquired another citizenship.
Before revoking a certificate of naturalisation, I must give notice to the person to whom the certificate was granted of my intention, stating the grounds therefor and the right of that person to apply to me for an inquiry as to the reasons for the revocation. If the person in question makes such a request, I am obliged to appoint a committee of inquiry consisting of a chairman having judicial experience and such other person as I may think fit, and refer the case to it. Thereafter the committee must report their findings to me with a view to informing my decision.
I hope that it is clear therefore that the revocation of a certificate of naturalisation is a serious matter and one in which I must be in a position to show that the legal requirements have been fulfilled.
The Deputy can be assured that if the circumstances of any particular case warrant revocation under these provisions, I will have no hesitation in utilising my statutory powers to the fullest extent possible.
