Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his detailed reply. I am glad he clarified that he was not suggesting this was a sham marriage because this was not a sham marriage. This was a man who came to seek a better livelihood in Ireland. He worked in the Ballinsaloe region and he contributed to the local economy. He fell in love with a local girl, they got engaged and then married. The State, through the HSE, has the marriage certificate saying that everything was okay and yet he cannot come back into the State to sign it. I know the Minister of State understands that but to me this is a terrible case. It is heartbreaking. I have spoken to members of the family and it is heartbreaking for them all. They are at their wits' end about the situation. I acknowledge what the Minister of State has said and I appeal to him. I know he is a compassionate individual and I say to him that we should make every effort to rectify what I believe is a wrong so that this couple can get on with their lives in which they were happy, contented, running a business and paying taxes. I firmly believe that a wrong has been done and while I acknowledge all the Minister of State has said we really need to look after this couple to ensure that they get fair treatment.

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