Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if permission will be granted to allow a person (details supplied) in County Louth to be reunited with their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36296/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The applications referred to by the Deputy were for family members to join their parents in the State. The parents were granted permission to remain in the State based on parentage of an Irish born child.

On 18 July 2003 the Government announced its policy on non-nationals in the above circumstances. On family reunification and Irish born children it was announced that there is no presumption in favour of allowing parents granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish born child to be joined by other family members. I am not aware of any special circumstances over and above those of others in a similar situation which would warrant a special concession in this case.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a visa application for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/05]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a visa application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36351/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 347 together.

The join parent visa applications were refused by my Department on 17 February 2004. The reason for refusal was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the applications. There is an extensive set of criteria applied when assessing any visa application. These criteria, to a large extent, depend on the context in which the application is made, the personal circumstances of the applicant and the nature and purpose of the application itself. Government policy of the day will also have an influence on the assessment of applications falling into specific categories.

If the applicants still wish to travel, fresh applications should be submitted to my Department with up to date documentation and the matter will be considered anew.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for permission to remain in the State for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [36330/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The applicant in question submitted an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of being the parent of an Irish born child born prior to 1 January 2005 under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. One of the conditions of the revised scheme is that certain documents are required to be submitted with an application. The applicant did not suppy all the required documentation and was written to earlier this month. His application will be processed to completion upon receipt of the requested documentation.