Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on criticisms from an organisation (details supplied) that the tourist visa system operated by his Department is having a negative impact on the tourism industry and costing thousands of jobs; his further views on the requirements for various documentation from visitors from China, India and Russia and whether these requirements are necessary; if he will review this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11353/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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While promotion of tourism in Ireland is primarily a matter for the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and associated agencies, I am aware of recent media coverage of comments by the Chief Executive of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC). In fact, officials of my Department have already met with the Chief Executive of the CTTC to discuss matters of mutual interest and lines of communication in this important area will be kept open.

The Deputy mentions the type of documentation required of certain types of short-stay visa applicant. This point was covered at the meeting with the CTTC. It appears that there is confusion about the type of documentation to be produced by persons coming to Ireland to visit family members or friends, and those with no connections in Ireland coming here on holiday. The following extract from guidance for visa applicants, which appears on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website, makes a distinction between the type of documentation and supporting information required by both categories of traveller: - Full details of the reason for your visit – e.g. to visit family, friends, etc. - If you intend staying in hotel accommodation, confirmation of booking from the hotel. - A letter of invitation from your reference in Ireland confirming accommodation will be provided for duration of your visit.

It must be stressed that both types of visitor are very welcome to visit Ireland and my officials will endeavour to make the guidance for visa applicants even clearer

As with all visa services in all countries worldwide, the central concern is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of those who intend travelling for legitimate purposes and who are likely to abide by the terms of their visa. Each visa application is decided on its own merits and I believe that, in most cases, my Department achieves this balance. Visa approval rates for some of the countries mentioned in recent media reports and, in particular, in some of the countries mentioned by the Deputy, bear this out. Approval rates for visa applications of all types processed through some Irish overseas Visa Offices in 2009 were : New Delhi (serving India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal) - 90% Beijing (serving China, Cambodia, Mongolia) - 86% Moscow (serving Russia and several former Soviet republics) - 98% London (serving all visa required nationals based in the UK) - 98%