Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 1

Written Answers - Passports for Investment Scheme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

87 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach the role played by the IDA official seconded to his Department in dealing with applications under the passports for investment scheme; the date of the secondment; the date of the termination of the secondment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5550/98]

The Taoiseach

Mr. Seán Donnelly was seconded to this Department from the IDA for the period of March 1988 to January 1989. In January 1989, Mr. Colm Regan, also from the IDA, was seconded to this Department until March 1992.

I am informed that both individuals acted as special projects managers. Their role was to advise the Taoiseach and, through the Taoiseach, the Government in relation to development proposals which offered possibilities of increased employment. The role of the special projects manager was, essentially, one of co-ordinating the work of Departments and State bodies involved in such projects to ensure progress was made on bringing them to the decision stage by the appropriate authority. This work arose out of theProgramme for National Recovery which had a big commitment to advancing projects in various sectors so as to increase employment.

The investment based scheme of naturalisation is the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and not my Department. While I am informed that the special projects manager at this Department did not have a specific role in the operation of the scheme, they did play a part, in certain cases, in facilitating contacts. Messrs. Regan and Donnelly have stated they had no involvement in the scheme prior to 1990 and any involvement after that date was minimal.