Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the problems being experienced by a person (details supplied) married to an Irish person for the past five years who has to apply for a holiday visa to re-enter Ireland every time they leave the country; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this person has to travel to Dublin on each occasion; and if he intends to amend the legislation to permit non nationals married to Irish nationals exit and enter this country without such difficulties. [23701/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to enter or reside in the State solely on that basis. A citizen of a visa required country, whether or not that person is married to an Irish national, is obliged to have a valid Irish visa on each occasion they arrive at the frontiers of the State. The person in question is a national of a visa required country.

The person was granted a multiple re-entry visa valid until 10 October 2005 on 1 November 2004. When this entry visa expires, it is open to the person to apply for a further multiple re-entry visa for a period of up to two years. The Deputy should note that it is possible to make applications for such a visa by post. The re-entry visa requirements for holders of valid registration cards will be reviewed by my Department in the context of the forthcoming Immigration and Residence Bill.