Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Visa Applications

5:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill will be published; the matters that will be addressed in the Bill itself; the status of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21320/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2007, which was initiated in the Seanad on 25 April 2007, sets out a legislative framework for the management of inward migration to Ireland and represents a comprehensive overhaul of the State's laws on immigration, and on the protection of refugees and others, dating back to the Aliens Act 1935. It lays down a number of important principles governing the presence in the State of foreign nationals, including the obligation on a foreign national who is unlawfully in the State to leave. It also sets out statutory processes for applying for a visa, for entry to the State, for residence in the State, for protection in the State and for being required, when necessary, to leave.

The Government, as part of its agreed Programme for Government, committed itself to reviewing the Bill. In the context of that review, a significant number of amendments, many of which are technical in nature, have been identified as being required to the published Bill. In addition, other matters under development at the time of publication, and intended to be brought forward by way of Committee Stage amendment, are now ready for inclusion in the text.

Accordingly, rather than seeking to have the published Bill restored to the Order Paper of the recently-elected Seanad, it is my intention to bring a proposal to Government seeking approval for the publication of a new Bill, incorporating the substance of the published Bill, as early as possible in this Session. The Bill as published in that form will facilitate debate on the details.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting times for processing each category of entry and residency visas; the number awaiting a decision under each category; the number of staff dealing with each type of application; his plans to review the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21339/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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There are two main categories of visa — a single journey and a multiple journey. Within those categories, there are two types — one allows a stay of up to 90 days and the other a longer period.

Irish visas are sought for a wide variety of purposes, e.g. holiday, visit, business, conference, employment, exam, interview, join family, medical reasons, sports tournaments, study, training, etc. All applicants are advised to make an application at least eight weeks before their proposed travel date. At present it takes, an average, four to six weeks to process an application.

The number of staff dealing with specific visa categories can vary dependent on the volume of applications at hand. However, there is a core group of sixteen visa officers in my Department based in Dublin; there are also staff based in Embassies and Consulates abroad who come under the control of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been given delegated sanction to approve visas in certain circumstances and, in fact, the vast majority of visa applications are approved under this delegated sanction without reference to my Department. Applications not within the delegated sanction are referred to my Department for processing. At present there are no plans to review the visa processing/application processes.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the necessary visa will be granted to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21373/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The application referred to by the Deputy for a "Join Spouse" visa was made to the visa office in Cairo. It was refused on 31st July 2007 because the Visa Officer had concerns regarding the bona fides of the applicant's relationship. An appeal against the decision was received in Dublin on 31st August 2007 and is currently awaiting examination by an Appeals Officer. It is expected that the decision of the Appeals Officer will be available shortly.

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