Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I join with colleagues in raising the issue of visas and work permits. Some months ago I raised on the Adjournment the case of a Canadian citizen living in my constituency who was married to a British citizen. She was told her visa would not be renewed. The visa was subsequently renewed but restrictions were imposed under which she was not allowed to carry out her work as a visually impaired artist. This highlights an anomaly in the system. The visa section is very difficult to contact and when one does get through any information is drip-fed. Eventually I put it to the staff there that if an Irish citizen living in the UK were treated in this way we would be up in arms and that I would see to it that this House made its feelings known on the issue. The visa was issued in the end but it is an unacceptable situation and we need a debate in this House to point up the anomalies in the process. Politicians such as ourselves should not have to tackle a problem that should be dealt with fairly and equitably by officials.