Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1014: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to the application for visas for persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if, in view of the circumstances, visas will be issued as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25408/05]

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

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, the likelihood that the applicant would overstay the length of time applied for. The visa officer will also have regard to information provided and such factors as the applicants' ties with and general circumstances in their country of origin. The applications in question were refused because the visa officer could not reasonably be satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicants would observe the conditions of the visas applied for. In particular, it was felt that the applicants had not displayed evidence of their obligations to return home following the proposed visit.

Additionally, it was felt that sufficient evidence was not submitted to permit the visa officer to establish to an acceptable degree, that a previous relationship history existed between the applicants and their reference in Ireland. No evidence of finances was submitted to show how the applicants intended to maintain themselves while in the State without recourse to public funds and the Department is therefore not in a position to grant visas at this time.