Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the case of a person (details supplied). [8397/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by my Department at initial stage, on 14 September 2004. The Deputy should note that marriage to an Irish national does not automatically carry any entitlement to the granting of a visa to enter the State. In cases such as this, the visa officer will, among other considerations, look for sufficient evidence of a clear pre-existing link between the applicant and their sponsor.

There is a general reluctance to approve visas for persons whose sole reference in Ireland has never met them or has met them only once during a brief visit abroad. This would have been taken into account in reaching a decision on this application as no evidence of a prior meeting was supplied. It was also noted that there appeared to be inconsistencies in the application that were not addressed by the applicant.

An appeal was received in respect of this application on 24 January 2005 but, based on the additional evidence supplied, the visa appeals officer was unable to conclude that the original decision should be overturned. Consequently, the application was refused on appeal on 16 February 2005.

As each application is entitled to only one appeal, it is not possible to further re-examine the case. A fresh application must be submitted should the applicant still wish to travel. Any such application should be accompanied by additional supporting documentation that it is felt will address the reasons for refusal outlined above and previously notified to the applicant on 19 November 2004.