Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a visa will be granted to a person (details supplied). [3822/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The application in question was received in my Department on 11 August 2005. The application sought to enable a non-EEA national join her spouse, who is an Irish citizen, in the State.

Having given full consideration to the matter, the visa was refused because my Department was not satisfied, on the basis of documentation provided, that an adequate relationship history existed between the applicant and the reference in Ireland. In particular, the visa officer noted that the couple has been introduced during February 2005 by a friend and married in July 2005. The visa officer could not be reasonably satisfied that a previous relationship history existed between the applicant and the reference in Ireland. In such cases the applicant must be in a position to satisfy the visa officer examining the application of the bona fides of the relationship. Further, the visa officer was not provided with evidence of finances which is required in examining such applications.

The decision was subsequently appealed. However, no current payslips or further material regarding the relationship history was provided to satisfy the visa appeals officer that the visa should be approved. Therefore, the decision to decline the grant of a visa was upheld on 27 September 2005. As each application is entitled to only one appeal, no further review can be facilitated. However, any new application will be fully examined by my Department.