Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of visa applications in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12398/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise that the visa application reference numbers supplied by the Deputy refer to three separate individuals who are not related wishing to join their parents in Ireland.

The visa applications referred to were received in the Visa Office, Beijing on 25 April 2008. All were applications to join Irish resident parents by their adult children. Following consideration by a Visa Officer they were refused on 30 December, 2008 as it is not the general policy to grant a visa to dependant family members over the age of 18 to permanently join persons granted residency/residing in the State.

The applicants lodged appeals on the 2 February 2009. The decisions of the Visa Officer were upheld by the Appeals Officer on 24 February 2009.

At first instance and on appeal the applicant's cases were fully examined. However, there were no compelling grounds shown as to why an exception to the general policy should be made.