Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 1119: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a visa will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [1245/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The applicant applied to join his spouse in Ireland on a long-term basis. The visa application in question was refused by my Department at initial stage on 19 November 2005 on several grounds. First, the visa officer was not satisfied that an adequate relationship history existed prior to the marriage. Second, on the basis of documentation supplied in support of the application, there were insufficient finances available to support the spouse. It was also noted that the applicant had previously applied for and been refused a visa.

The applicant's spouse had arrived in the State in 2000 and made an application for asylum. She subsequently sought and obtained residency solely on the basis of an Irish-born child. The general policy in operation does not provide for family members to join family in the State on that basis.

An appeal was received on 9 January 2006. The visa appeals officer who re-examined the appeal found no reason to overturn the decision of the visa officer.