Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on providing a special visa for visiting relatives allowing them to stay for more than three months or pay multiple visits here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34343/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on providing tourist visas for longer than a three month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34344/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.

It is not the general practice of the Visa Office to issue multiple journey visas unless a compliant travel history to Ireland in the recent past has been shown. In that context, a Visa Officer would normally expect to be satisfied that the conditions of at least two previous visas has been observed.

There are two main categories of visa — a 'C' visa is for a stay of a maximum of 90 days, a 'D' visa is for a longer stay. Where a 'D' visa has been approved and a stay in excess of 90 days is intended, the applicant is required to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB.)

Each visa application is considered on its individual merits, with the onus resting on the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why a visa should be granted. It should be borne in mind that a visa is merely a pre-entry clearance to seek permission to enter the State — no automatic right of entry is conferred. Whether the person is permitted to enter and the exact period for which s/he is allowed to remain is a matter for the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The overwhelming majority of family visitors and tourists should find current visa and entry clearance arrangements adequate for their needs and consistent with the immigration policy of most other countries similar to Ireland. It is unlikely that such visitors would wish to become involved in the GNIB registration process. It is more likely that people wishing to come to Ireland for a period in excess of 90 days have something other than a visit planned and the 'D' visa caters to their needs.