Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for a holiday visa will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21047/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The visa application in question was for the stated purpose of allowing a non-EEA national travel to the State for a short term visit.

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, whether it is likely 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 his or her country of origin.

In the case in question, the visa officer was not reasonably satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant demonstrated that he would observe the conditions of the visa applied for. Additionally, the visa officer concluded that the applicant had not demonstrated sufficient evidence of a clear, pre-existing link between the applicant and the 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. The application was refused on 19 November 2004.

A letter was received from a solicitor representing the applicant on 24 January 2005 stating an intention to appeal. However, no appeal was received within the permitted timeframe. A letter issued from my Department to the solicitor on 11 May to this effect, informing them that the opportunity to appeal had now passed.

It is of course still open to the person in question to submit a fresh application for a visa. Any such application should be accompanied by appropriate up to date supporting documentation which will address the concerns of the visa officer.