Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was refused a holiday visa to this country. [4508/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The visa application to which the Deputy refers was refused on 12 January 2005. In assessing any visa application, the visa officer will consider various matters, including whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant would fully honour the conditions of the visa for example, it is unlikely that the applicant would overstay the length of time applied for. The visa officer will also have regard to information provided and to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in their country of origin.

The application in question was refused because the visa officer could not reasonably be satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would observe the conditions of the visa applied for. In particular, it was felt that the applicant had not displayed evidence of an obligation to return home following the proposed visit.

Sufficient evidence was not submitted to permit the visa officer to establish to an acceptable degree, that a previous relationship history existed between the applicant and their reference in Ireland. An appeal in respect of the decision to refuse the visa application was subsequently submitted by the applicant. However, based on the level of additional documentation submitted, the appeals officer was unable to conclude that the initial decision to refuse the visa should be overturned. This appeal was therefore refused on the 14 February 2005 and the applicant will be notified of this decision as soon as possible. If the applicant still wishes to travel, a fresh application should be submitted to my Department accompanied by any additional documentation that it is felt will address the reasons for refusal outlined above.