Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 6

Written Answers. - Passport Applications.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

220 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of investment made by 29 persons (details supplied) to obtain citizenship under the passports for investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26988/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

It has not been the practice to identify separately persons naturalised under the provisions of the investment-based scheme from other persons naturalised. Furthermore, it has never been the practice to publish details of individual naturalisation cases, other than what is required by law, i.e. the publication in Iris Oifigiúil of the name and address of the applicant, the date of naturalisation and whether he or she was an adult or minor.

In the context of the recent controversy concerning the appropriateness of the appointment of Ray Burke as a Minister in the last Government, the Taoiseach asked me to examine the file relating to one particular investment based case involving 11 persons and I agreed to do so.

I reported to the Dáil on the outcome of my examination in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 5 on 17 October 2002. However, I do not intend to depart from long standing practice in other cases nor do I intend to conduct a systematic examination of decisions made by my predecessors, in the exercise of their absolute discretion, for the reasons set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 27 November 2002. Case files relating to 127 persons naturalised under the investment based scheme prior to 1997 are currently with the Moriarty tribunal.

Question No. 221 answered with Question No. 214.