Vol. 517 No. 6
351 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the conditions for granting a business permit to a foreign national; if these can be waived or reviewed in a case where the specified level of investment is unrealistic or where no Irish nationals are qualified in the particular area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10614/00]
The conditions under which a non-EU national may be granted permission to reside in the State in order to operate a business are set out in an information leaflet available from my Department. One of the requirements is that the business should involve a minimum investment in excess of £300,000. Permission may, however, be granted to persons wishing to operate a business with a lower initial investment in some cases, for example in circumstances of the kind referred to by the Deputy. Each such case is examined on its own merits and my Department may seek the advice of other relevant State agencies in deciding on such an application.
