Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the arrest of a person (details supplied) in the Bahamas by the US authorities; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this person may escape prosecution due to the fact that he possesses an Irish passport; if he will begin the process of revoking that passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29768/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The person concerned became an Irish citizen when he was granted a certificate of naturalisation on 24 April 1995. As an Irish citizen, he is entitled to hold an Irish passport.

I am aware from a newspaper article of the alleged arrest of the person concerned. I have also noted the remarks in the media about the possibility of the person concerned evading prosecution due to the fact that he has an Irish passport. In this context, it seems that the core issue is whether or not the person concerned was granted naturalisation appropriately in the first instance and is entitled to continue to be an Irish citizen and to hold an Irish passport.

The revocation of a certificate of naturalisation can only be considered within the provisions of section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. I have put these provisions on the record of the House on a number of occasions.

I have asked my officials to examine the case of the person concerned. The Deputy can be assured that if the circumstances of this, or indeed any particular case, warrant revocation under the statutory provisions of the above Act, I will have no hesitation in utilising my statutory powers to the fullest extent possible.

Should the authorities in either the Bahamas or the United States require any assistance in this matter, my Department will be happy to co-operate in any way possible.