Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused a holiday visa to this country; if his Department will review this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8648/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused a holiday visa to this country; if his Department will review this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8649/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 427 together.

The applications referred to by the Deputy in his parliamentary questions were for the purposes of allowing the relatives of a non-EEA national employed in the State travel to Ireland for the stated purpose of a short-term visit. Both applications were refused by my Department on the 22 February 2005.

In assessing applications of this type the visa officer will expect to see sufficient evidence of suitable finances, in the form of several consecutive payslips, and a detailed bank statement covering a two to three month period. These should demonstrate a consistent financial history, evidence of regular income, and a suitable level of available finances. The evidence should enable the visa officer establish that the applicants have sufficient funds available to guarantee their support throughout their stay in the State. In this case, no evidence of finances was supplied in support of the applications.

Additionally, no evidence was supplied to enable the visa section establish the immigration status of the reference in the State. Typically, where the reference is himself a non-EEA national, it would be expected that copies of his or her passport, work permit, Garda national immigration bureau registration card etc. would be submitted to enable the visa section satisfy itself that no irregularities exist.

When assessing applications such as those in question, consideration is given to the personal circumstances of the applicants and the extent of their ties in their country of origin. The applications were refused because it was not established, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicants would observe the conditions of a visit visa. In particular, it was felt that the applicants had not displayed sufficient evidence of their obligations to return home following their proposed visit.

It is open to the applicants to appeal these refusal decisions by writing to the visa appeals officer of my Department. Any appeals should be accompanied by additional supporting documentation that the applicants feel will address the reasons for refusal outlined above.