John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision has been made on holiday visas for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40142/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Dublin Visa Office on 7 November 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the applications was taken on 21 November 2006. It is open to the applicants to appeal the decisions. Comprehensive guidelines on making an appeal can be found on my Department's website (www.justice.ie). All appeals must be made within two months of the initial refusal decision.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to a parliamentary question on behalf of a person (details supplied) for a tourist visa, if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances outlined in correspondence; if he will address the issues raised in items one, two and three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40309/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 4 October 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 8 November 2006. The application was refused on the grounds that certain documents provided were not translated, the finances provided were deemed insufficient or incomplete and the obligations of the applicant to return to his home country were not shown.

With reference to the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, comprehensive guidelines on making a visa application are available on my Department's website (www.justice.ie). The website states that "All documents submitted must be in English. Where they are in any other language, the original document should be submitted, along with a notarised translation of same. Failure to provide translated documents will lead to your application being refused". It further states "A detailed bank statement, showing sufficient funds, and covering the immediate 6 month period prior to submitting a visa application should be submitted".

Applicants are also requested to provide "Evidence of your obligations to return to your country of permanent residence". The Visa Officer noted that she was unable to confirm the obligation to return home as documents provided were not translated. It is open to the applicant to appeal the decision. Appeals must be received within two months of the decision to refuse the application.