Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

There are two issues that I want the Minister of State to look at — these are only small in monetary terms. The first is the issue of the cost incurred by persons going to assist in aid projects in getting visas from the embassies. For example, the Indian embassy, the one with which I am familiar, charges for a visa. It is not much, but the sum might provide much benefit in the country of destination in relative terms. Where an Irish individual must get a visa to travel abroad for aid work, the embassies might look at giving a multiple visa to cover a period of time rather than a visa for one visit.

The second is account transaction fees. I am aware of an individual who is building a school in India on their own and each account transaction to withdraw money costs €25 which could provide many benefits to an individual in the country concerned. The Minister of State could make contact with the financial institutions to see whether they might look at waiving the bank fee for a transaction where the person is carrying out aid work.

See this speech in context