Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the future responsibilities of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7630/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and the transfer to it of the visa section of the Department of Foreign Affairs has been the subject of intensive consultation between my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in recent months. Further consultations will take place on the detailed arrangements for the assignment of staff and other resources to the new service.

I fully support the establishment of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service as a one stop shop in all matters relating to entry into and taking up residence within Ireland including visa matters and firmly believe the new arrangements will result in a more coherent and efficient delivery of services in this area.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to have responsibility for the provision of a visa service at its embassies and consulates abroad. We intend to cooperate closely with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service with a view to further improving the quality and delivery of the visa service offered at our missions abroad.