Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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195. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding visa approval in respect of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31734/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 17 February 2014. Following full consideration, the Visa Officer decided to refuse to grant the visa on 11 April 2014. The reason for refusal was that a declaration of Eligibility and Suitability from the Adoption Authority of Ireland was not provided.

The decision to refuse was appealed on 8 May 2014 and the decision to refuse the application was upheld at appeal.

Both the Republic of the Philippines and Ireland ratified the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption in 1996 and 2010 respectively. In order for Ireland to recognise an adoption legally contracted in the Philippines or indeed in any other State which is a party to the aforementioned Convention, it is a requirement that the adopting parties obtain a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability from the Adoption Authority of Ireland. As such a declaration has not been obtained in the case referred to by the Deputy it would not be appropriate for a visa to issue.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.