Vol. 473 No. 1
275 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the names of the persons who have been granted Irish citizenship from 16 December 1994 to date in 1996 under the investment-based naturalisation scheme; the amounts invested under this scheme; the companies which benefited from this investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24584/96]
As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy's Question No. 216 of 3 December 1996, a total of 28 persons were naturalised in the period in question on foot of their investments in the State. As I also indicated in answer to that question, ten of these persons had been approved for naturalisation by my predecessor before the then Government decided that all investment-based applications should be assessed by an interdepartmental advisory group operating within terms of reference. The names, addresses, etc. of all persons naturalised during this period have been published in Iris Oifigiúil in accordance with the statutory requirement of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956.
While it has never been the practice to disclose the precise amount invested by applicants, all applications approved by me were required to invest a minimum of £1 million in accordance with the terms of the scheme.
Neither has it ever been the practice to identify the companies in receipt of investment under the scheme. However, I can say that included in the areas of industry where investments have been made are the medical research, food processing, textiles, electronics and furniture manufacturing sectors.
