Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 176: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the refusal of a visa to a person (details supplied). [17502/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The reference number, 180019, supplied by the Deputy is incorrect. I understand he refers to application number 1800190 which was refused by my Department on 13 May 2005. The applicant was issued with written notification of the reasons for refusal by my Department on 19 May 2005.

When assessing any visa application, the visa officer must consider various matters including, for example, whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant's stated purpose of visit to the State is the true purpose of the visit, that he or she will comply with the terms of a visa and that he or she is unlikely to breach the common travel area by using Ireland as a means of gaining entry to the UK.

In assessing these issues, the visa officer will have regard to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in the country of origin and to his or her immigration history. In this regard, it was noted that the person in question had been refused a visa for the UK. The visa officer was unable to conclude, based on the person's immigration history and a lack of evidence to demonstrate that he would observe the conditions of an Irish visa, that it was reasonable to grant a visa in the circumstances.