James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond to my motion concerning the refusal of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to grant visitor visas to Nana Kwyku Agyeman, who was born on 23 June 1994, and Kofio Oppoku Agyeman, who was born on 7 July 1990. They are both minors. These boys have applied through their mother, Mrs. Agatha Agyeman, and her husband, both Irish citizens, living in Newtownforbes, County Longford, to come to Ireland on visitor visas to see their young sister, Nina, aged three years, who is terminally ill. It is important for them to make this visit while her condition still allows her to recognise them.

Nina suffers from metachromatic leukodystrophy, a degenerative, progressive brain disease, which is likely to be fatal. Nina is unable to walk or sit and drools while trying to speak or eat. Her condition is deteriorating and her prognosis is extremely poor as she experiences rapid regression in all aspects of development together with a loss of all cognitive abilities. The diagnosis and Nina's condition are causing great distress to her parents. Their emotional state and well-being would be greatly helped by seeing their sons and having them meet their sister while she is still able to recognise them. I cannot stress more strongly the extreme need for this family to be united for however short a time.

There is absolutely no grounds for thinking these boys will not honour a visitor visa and I ask the Minister of State to outline further requirements that could be fulfilled to enable the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to make a positive decision in favour of them and allow this little girl and her parents the comfort and joy of seeing these boys again.