Vol. 566 No. 3
193 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the further action he is contemplating in regard to a case involving the issuing of 11 passports to the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12769/03]
This matter centres on events which occurred 13 years ago, events which might better have been addressed when fresher and closer to their occurrence.
The case was dealt with under the investment based naturalisation scheme. I am on record as describing it as a scheme that operated under a set of administrative guidelines that were flexibly operated. Successive Attorneys General have advised that its statutory basis was doubtful and it has been discontinued.
As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 19 and 29 of 6 February, I sought legal advice on these matters. Legal advice states that the grounds no longer exist for the revocation of the naturalisation certificates on which these passports were based. Any further action I might take will be informed by careful consideration of such advice.
