This is the full text of the statement issued by the Government press office last night, January 30th, 2008.
GOVERNMENT STATEMENT IN RELATION TO RTE 9PM NEWS
ISSUING OF PASSPORT TO NORMAN TURNER
Any suggestion of impropriety regarding the issuing of a passport to Mr Norman Turner is totally without foundation.
Deputy Phil Hogan was informed in reply to a written parliamentary question that the passport was issued on 9 thAugust 1994 and this was done in accordance with normal procedures for applications forwarded by the offices of the Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
It is amazing that the RTE 9pm news report did not give this statement prominence in its coverage.
Mr Turner acquired Irish citizenship as was his absolute right through his mother who was born in Cork in 1929.
This was Mr Turner's entitlement and in full accordance with existing citizenship laws.
The suggestion that there was anything in any way out of the ordinary relating to a passport application being returned through the offices of Bertie Ahern TD is absolute fallacy.
It is not unusual for passport applications to be routed through offices of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Indeed, in 2007, over 6,200 passports were processed in this manner.
The Taoiseach has never denied being acquainted with Norman Turner.
Indeed he previously confirmed he attended Manchester United games with Mr Turner.
It is also a matter of public record that Mr Ahern opposed the casino project that Mr Turner was associated with.
The disingenuous implication made by Deputy Phil Hogan this evening regarding a routine passport application is categorically rejected.