Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will elucidate the options that exist within the current visa regime for a Turkish national with a C visa and Irish born children to upgrade their visa status in order that they would no longer need to leave the State every three months in order to remain here and look after their children. [11879/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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A C Visa is granted for visits of less than 90 days. As a consequence it is not the general policy to extend permission to remain to persons who are admitted initially for a period of 90 days or less on a C Visa, save in very exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.

A wrap-around information sheet accompanies every visa application form. That sheet makes it clear to the applicant that, in general, persons granted visas for particular purposes are not permitted to remain in the State for any purpose other than that for which the visa was granted. Every visa applicant is required to state on the application form the dates on which he or she proposes to enter and leave Ireland. He or she is also required to declare that the information supplied is correct and complete.

The person concerned must leave and reapply for the appropriate visa from outside the State. Should they wish to return, they should include in their new visa application the purpose and duration of their intended stay.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 141: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are restrictions on Palestinian citizens who live and work in another EU State in applying for holiday visas to visit Ireland; if such visas have been granted in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11880/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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There are no restrictions on Palestinian citizens who live and work in another EU State in applying for holiday visas to visit Ireland. Eleven Visit Visas in total were issued to Palestinian citizens in the last 12 months.

Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a written application to his Department by a person (details supplied) in County Cork to extend their visa to remain here with their spouse. [11881/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 3 October 2006 in relation to the person in question. The position remains unchanged.