Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There is no right of confidentiality for a bogus or false passport application form and I wonder who would claim such a right — hardly a person seeking to perpetrate a fraud on the State.

In answer to Deputy Kenny's question, all these things were linked. Last summer people were very concerned and rightly so about issues to do with Colombia and I had to return from my summer holidays to deal with it. The matter was in the newspapers for days. I remind Deputy Kenny that I appreciate his informing me that these were matters of great concern to the people of the country and to our international credibility. The Minister, who takes a tough line on criminality from all quarters and all organisations, has consistently taken a tough line this year. He has been dealing with these issues without fear or favour. He makes his point strongly about anyone who in his view gets in the way and——

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