Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

After months of worrying reports regarding the immigrant investor programme, the Government yesterday abruptly closed the scheme. The so-called cash for visas programme allowed wealthy people to receive Irish residency in exchange for investments in business or a charitable contribution. There have been serious concerns surrounding the operation of some of the investments made. For instance, last week I raised the situation of the Nuremore Hotel and Country Club in Carrickmacross where staff have not received their salaries owed and where unpaid bills have resulted in the services being disconnected. This has created concerns for the future of the hotel and a potential substantial cost to the State if insolvency follows. We are told the Government decision to close the immigrant investor programme was informed by both internal and external reviews. Will those reviews be published and will the Taoiseach and the Government commit to a full examination of the operation of this programme?

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