Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason persons, details supplied, were not granted permits to visit here; the action which must be taken to overcome the difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23210/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The group of persons in question made visa applications for the stated purpose of attending a boxing tournament in the State, at the invitation of an Irish boxing club.

In assessing any visa application, the visa officer will consider various matters. These include whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant's stated purpose is the true purpose of the visit and that the applicant will fully honour the conditions of the visa, for example, is unlikely to overstay the length of time applied for or to work without a work permit.

The visa officer will have regard to the information provided in the application and to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in their country of origin, as well as the relative attractiveness and feasibility of remaining in the State. Credibility is central to the visa determination process. Not surprisingly, inconsistencies or omissions on the face of an application can cause the visa officer to conclude that it is not reasonable in the circumstances to grant a visa. The Department's approach in these matters is informed by past experience, including experience of abuse of the system. Common examples of previous abuse include individuals who although granted a visa to come on short visits overstayed with a view to establishing themselves permanently in the State, and groups of persons who avail of organised events for the purpose of gaining entry to the State for other purposes.

The applications in question were refused because the visa officer could not reasonably be satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicants would observe the conditions of the visas applied for. In particular, it was felt that the applicants had not displayed evidence of their obligations to return home following their proposed visit. It was also noted that a number of the applicants were under age. However, no evidence was submitted to establish that their parents had consented to them travelling to the State.

The Irish sports club sponsoring the applications submitted a letter of appeal on behalf of the applicants. The visa appeals officer, however, formed the opinion that it would not be reasonable to conclude that the applicants would observe the conditions attached to the visas, and the decision to refuse the applications was upheld.