Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 4

Written Answers - Naturalisation Applications.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

285 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures, if any, which were in place between 1988 and 1994 to assess the suitability of the applicants, as required by law, under the passports for investment scheme. [6470/98]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

286 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of the 114 applicants under the passports for investment scheme between 1988 and 1994 which were assessed as suitable; the number who were refused on the basis of character; if his attention was subsequently drawn to the fact that, in relation to those who were granted citizenship, the applicant had a criminal record or was the subject of criminal investigation prior to the grant of the certificate of naturalisation; and, if so, the number in this regard. [6471/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.

Section 15 (1)(b) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended in 1986 provides that applicants for naturalisation must be "of good character". I assume this is what the Deputy is referring to in his questions, when he asks about the suitability of persons naturalised under the scheme linked to investment.

The terms of reference for the interdepartmental committee, set up in 1994 to assess and make recommendations on investment proposals of individual applicants, formalised the procedures for assessing applications for naturalisation linked to investment. Included in these procedures was a requirement for the submission of a police certificate of character from the applicant's country of origin. Prior to the introduction of the terms of reference, it had been one practice to accept references from banks or companies, as well as the certificates mentioned above, in support of an application. In the period mentioned by the Deputy, 24 persons supplied a character reference in support of their application. A further 19 applications were received on behalf of minor children of naturalised investors who would not be required to supply references.