Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 6

Written Answers. - Passport Applications.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

15 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for passports under the current scheme which were processed by her Department from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1996; the number which were granted; the number which were refused; and the grounds on which the applications were refused. [5447/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the investment-based naturalisation scheme approved by the Government in 1994. This scheme requires that an interdepartmental advisory group operating within terms of reference assess all applications for naturalisation based on investments in the State. The terms of reference of the advisory group were announced to the House by my predecessor in answer to a parliamentary question on 25 October 1994.

In 1996, 23 applications for naturalisation were processed in accordance with these terms of reference by my Department in conjunction with the advisory group.

In the same period, 11 persons were naturalised on foot of their investments in the State. The applications for naturalisation of five of the persons who were naturalised in 1996 were assessed by the advisory group in that year and the other six were assessed by it in 1995.

The applications for naturalisation of two persons were refused in 1996 because the persons in question did not comply with the terms of reference of the scheme.

In relation to the remaining 16 cases assessed by the advisory group in 1996, four persons have been approved for naturalisation subject to making their investments, purchasing residences and so on. They will be naturalised as soon as these matters have been finalised. The remaining 12 cases assessed by the advisory group in 1996 have not yet been processed to the point where they can be submitted to me with a final recommendation from the group.

I should also add for the information of the House that following a Government decision in September 1996, no new applications are being accepted by my Department pending the enactment of legislation to place the scheme on a statutory footing. Work on preparing the legislation to give effect to this decision is under way in my Department. The position of the applications before the Government decision in September 1996 is still being considered.