No additional files found on passports scheme, TDs told

No additional files have been found in the Taoiseach's Department on the passports for investment scheme, the Dail was told.

The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said that no files had been found in the Department of the Taoiseach that were not already in the Justice Department and all files between 1988 and 1994 on the scheme in his department have been forwarded to the Moriarty tribunal.

"I understand that a check in the Department of the Taoiseach has not revealed any documents on the investment-based naturalisation scheme that one would not expect to be on the files of my department which have been sent to the tribunal," Mr O'Donoghue said.

He was responding to an issue raised on the adjournment by Mr Jim O'Keeffe (FG, Cork SouthWest). The Fine Gael deputy had asked if there were any files in the Taoiseach's Department relating to the scheme and if some of the files had gone to the home in Kinsealy, Co Dublin, of the former taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, and if it was possible "that some may still be there". Mr O'Keeffe said it was clear that Mr Haughey had a "hands-on approach" in relation to the scheme.

Mr O'Donoghue pointed out that as well as all files from between 1988 and 1994 being sent, "the 40 or so files which were approved when the deputy's party was in government have been sent to the tribunal".

He said his department had advised the tribunal of "certain other naturalisation files, which predated the passports for investment scheme and which may be of interest to the tribunal. The department has indicated to the tribunal that, should the tribunal wish to view these files, it will, on receipt of the necessary production offer from the tribunal, make the files available." Hitting out at the Opposition, the Minister said that it was the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, as minister for industry and commerce, who introduced the idea of giving naturalisation for investment.

It was a "bit rich" for Mr O'Keeffe to "continue with his mantra" as if the scheme was an invention of Fianna Fail. The deputy knew "full well that his party when in government excelled themselves in their prodigious and indeed enthusiastic use of the scheme". Fine Gael also, "on their way out the door in 1997", reversed their decision to accept no new applications.

He asked why Mr O'Keeffe did not question the period of 1995 to 1997 "and in particular why he hasn't zoned in on the events of June 1997" when Fine Gael was leaving office.

The Minister concluded that perhaps Mr O'Keeffe would now appreciate the advice he had given to him previously: "One should always ensure that one takes one's gun out of the holster before pulling the trigger."