Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the impact the cost of visas is having on tourism here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2330/09]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received representations from the tourism bodies regarding the impact on tourism here of the non-Schengen area visa arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2395/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 100 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, immigration policy is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and its implementation is a matter for the relevant authorities, including the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently responsible for setting visa fees. However, the Deputies will be aware that, under the terms of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill currently before the Oireachtas, this responsibility will transfer to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I am advised that the cost of visas for Ireland is broadly in line with costs internationally and is a necessary charge to cover the cost of processing the visa application.

New and developing markets, such as India and China, are potentially of significant importance to Irish tourism. Visitors from these markets stay twice as long as the average holidaymaker, have the highest spend per visit, have a higher propensity to travel throughout the island of Ireland and make significant economic contributions to many elements of the tourism sector. Obviously, to fully exploit the opportunities presented, Ireland needs to be competitive on all fronts. Visitors from these countries typically require visas to enter Ireland. I am advised that the ability of potential visitors to secure the necessary visas in an efficient and cost-effective manner, when compared with our competitor destinations, is an important element of our competitiveness.

Tourism Ireland, which is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas, conducted a review of new and developing markets, including India, China and 17 other markets. This review, completed in late 2007, highlighted the potential for increased tourism from Asia and the Middle East and set significant targets to attract a total of 475,000 visitors from new and developing markets by 2013.

Tourism Ireland has been in communication with my Department with some ideas for discussion in respect of the implementation of immigration policy and issuing of visas, in so far as this impacts on the promotion of inbound tourism, which may be what the Deputy is driving at. My Department has engaged with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on these issues. Discussions to progress these matters are ongoing.

The Deputies will appreciate that migration and border controls are complex and sensitive, affecting not only tourism of various kinds but also labour market policies and inward investment within the overall context of sovereignty. However, I am confident that, working in partnership, the immigration authorities and the tourism bodies can ensure that the visitor experiences of Ireland compare with any of our competitors.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps the Minister would reiterate which Department is currently responsible for setting visa fees.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs but the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform will shortly take on that responsibility.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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This issue has been raised with me by a number of tourist bodies. I accept the Minister's statement that our visa costs are roughly in line with those of other countries. However, in our case, it is an added cost. As the Minister stated, people visiting Ireland from China, India or the Middle East may come here as part of a tour that commences in Paris and moves on to London. These people are required to pay €60 for a Schengen visa which allows them entry into Paris, €100 for a visa to gain entry to London and a further €100 in visa fees to gain entry into Ireland. All of this adds to the overall cost of one's journey. Many people believe they have seen Europe once they have seen Paris and visiting Ireland may not be the most important issue on their minds.

We are disadvantaging ourselves. We should either reduce the visa fee or abolish it. Which is of greater value, the revenue derived from visa fees or the revenue from extra business? In terms of tourism, any growth in this area is likely to come from countries such as China and India and the eastern world rather than from western world.

Another disincentive in this regard is that people who apply for visas in, say, China and so on, must collect them from their nearest consulate or embassy. This is all very well if one lives in Ireland where no journey is more than 300 km. However, having to travel thousands of miles to collect a visa is a huge disincentive. The Minister referred earlier to a review in this regard and it is important such a review takes place. Also, this requirement is a particular barrier to children travelling here from Chernobyl, many of whom are required to travel to Moscow to collect visas, which is a huge imposition on them. Thousands of children come here every year from Chernobyl.

I ask that the Minister consult on this matter with the Departments of Foreign Affairs or Justice, Equality and Law Reform to see if anything can be done in terms of how this system works and the actual cost in that regard, a self-imposed barrier which should be abolished.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In my view — I believe Deputy Mitchell agrees with me — is that those markets have huge potential. I have no doubt in my mind about that. The more wealth created in the Middle East, Asia, India and China in particular the greater will be the numbers of people travelling here. If we are to attract directly into Ireland the volume of visitors which I believe are available, we will have to change our mindset in terms of how we operate this system. Departments, and those operating the system, are up for that. There is a greater understanding now of the requirement to reduce complexities in this area and equally of ensuring a proper balance in terms of cost and so on. The fee is largely to cover administration of the visa application. There is no excess involved.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I accept that.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Clearly, the potential for growth in terms of visitors from China, India, the Middle East and from Australia, if we can get direct services into Ireland, is enormous. The system will shortly become the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which will take a fresh and streamlined approach to ensuring it is as efficient and as accessible as possible to those wishing to legitimately visit our country.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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What is the timescale in terms of the introduction of changes and so on?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I believe legislation on the matter is currently before the House.