Vol. 486 No. 6
48 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the report on the investment based passport scheme has been finalised; if so, if it is available; whether it will be published; and when he will be in a position to respond to questions on the 114 naturalisations granted between the years from 1988 to 1994. [3079/98]
87 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of passports issued under the passports for investment scheme since 26 June 1997; the original nationality in the case of those who have received passports; if he has yet concluded his examination of the passports for investment scheme and brought a report to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3122/98]
116 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way and circumstances in which conditions in relation to the issue of investment based passports, which were decided on by the Government in December 1988, were relaxed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3080/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 87 and 116 together.
The report on the investment based scheme of naturalisation is almost finalised. Any decision by Government based on the report will be announced in the normal way. The responsibility of the issue of passports is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I assume Deputy Rabbitte wishes to know the number of persons who obtained naturalisation linked to investment in the State since 26 June 1997. I can confirm that the applications of two persons for naturalisation linked to investment, which had been approved by the former Government, have been finalised since 26 June. Details of the individuals concerned, along with all other persons naturalised in the period November 1996 to October 1997, have been published in Iris Oifigiúil on 5 December 1997, in accordance with the requirements of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts.
