Seanad debates
Wednesday, 22 October 2003
Irish Nationality and Citizenship and Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
I wish to raise a number of general issues that are not directly related to the Bill. The Minister narrowed the basis of post-nuptial citizenship too much and I believe that the position should be reviewed. From contacts with constituents – I am not seeking to raise their particular cases – I am aware that people who have been granted Irish citizenship must jump through a large number of hoops in order to obtain a visitor's visa for a family member who may wish to visit them here. In my limited experience, applications for such visas are often refused. People who have been granted Irish citizenship should have the right to have members of their families visit them for holidays, etc. The Minister needs to consider ways of taking a more compassionate approach to the people to whom I refer.
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