Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish passports which were refused during the period 1975 to 1980 to people living and working in Rhodesia; the number of Irish passports granted during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7908/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 253 of 1968, which imposed mandatory sanctions on the illegal regime in what was then Southern Rhodesia, new passports, or the renewal of existing ones, were not processed in the period 29 May 1968 to 21 December 1979 to Irish citizens for emigration to Southern Rhodesia nor to those of our citizens residing in Southern Rhodesia whose activities furthered or encouraged the unlawful actions of the regime. Since those restrictions were lifted, people who were affected have been able to avail of Irish passport facilities in the same way as Irish citizens generally.

In the time available, it has not been possible to research the records for the period in question. This will be done as soon as possible, and I will communicate directly with the Deputy. In the meantime, if the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I will be happy to have this checked out in the first instance.