Written answers

Wednesday, 25 January 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Visa Applications

8:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1058: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason non-nationals are asked to reapply for entry and exit visas even when entitled to remain here; the further reason this practice does not apply in other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1102/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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All visa required non-national residents in Ireland who wish to leave the State and re-enter later are required to obtain a re-entry visa under the terms of the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2005. Although the Schengen area of the European Union does not have a re-entry visa requirement, it is my understanding that some of the new member states do impose such a requirement. There is no provision for exit visas in Irish immigration law or practice.

The issue of the re-entry visa requirement was addressed in the discussion document, Immigration and Residence in Ireland, which I published in April 2005. It was proposed that the re-entry visa regime should be reviewed in view of the proposed developments in the visa service, in particular computerisation and the ongoing developments in the registration system operated by the Garda national immigration bureau, GNIB.

The re-entry visa processing function has recently been transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Irish naturalisation and immigration service, INIS, which is an executive office in my Department. The review of the re-entry visa regime will take place once the changes resulting from the transfer have been fully implemented within the INIS.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1059: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a visitor's visa will issue for a person (details supplied); and if persons will be given the maximum support. [1202/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I can advise the Deputy that the visa was approved on 20 January 2006.

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