Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

A firm in the midlands, which now employs 250 people, availed of this scheme.

As a former Minister of State with responsibility for trade, I knew about this scheme and supported it without being directly involved in it in any way. Most Ministers would have been aware of the scheme. Mrs. Nora Owen, a former Minister, was involved in this scheme in 1995. A case was presented to her and while she may not have taken a particular action, it was encouraged. A former Taoiseach was mentioned and a former Progressive Democrats Minister was also involved. I told the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform about this, but many people are now rather saintly about this scheme.

It is all right for those privileged few, like Senators Quinn, Henry, Ross, O'Toole and Norris, who have been here for years and never had to worry about losing their jobs. They have never had to work in the real world and try to maintain jobs that were in Edgeworthstown, nor did they have to try to create jobs in Millstreet. I have examples of numerous schemes and lots of information regarding this scheme.

I would prefer to vote down this Bill and I am surprised the Government has accepted it. I assure Senator Quinn that it will be changed before it returns to this House – that is if it ever sees the light of day. While he is at it, will the good Senator consider bringing forward a Bill to remove citizenship from those people with Irish passports who live abroad to avoid taxation? Would he consider that they are playing a role in this economy by taking €50 million out of the country and not paying capital gains tax? Does he feel that this might be another appropriate opportunity for him to introduce a Bill? Some of those who availed of Irish passports paid Irish taxation and bought residences in this city at a time when it was difficult to sell such expensive houses.

Will the Senator consider other abuses of the passport scheme? I know a certain newspaper will not publish this because some individuals are availing of it. Most of the establishment newspapers will not publish it anyway because it is part of the establishment in the city of Dublin. I think it was called the "golden circle" at one stage. The golden circle is alive and well as far as I can see. Those with money can go to Monaco or Portugal and avail of opportunities such as avoiding capital gains tax. Yet, when one sees the work that was done in Millstreet and elsewhere, one would think that the people behind it are good Irish citizens and there is no question of withdrawing their passports. They comply with the laws of this land.