Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average processing times for citizens from each of the following countries (details supplied) obtaining holiday visas from Ireland in each of the last five years; the number of visas issued to each country, in tabular form; if there are plans to improve the efficiency of the visa process in order to encourage tourism from these emerging markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16844/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My Department processes visas for non-EEA nationals who are visa required. All types of visa applications are typically processed in the country where the visa applicant resides rather than in their country of citizenship. Also, it is not possible to distinguish between visas granted for holiday purposes as opposed to other short stay visas such as visits to family and friends. Regarding processing times for visa applications, in our dedicated overseas offices in some of the countries mentioned (China, Russia and India), all types of visit visa applications including holiday-type visas are processed typically in two to three weeks (often less for non-complicated applications). Visit visas processed and granted in Saudi Arabia are typically granted under delegated sanction by staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs based in the Irish Embassy in Riyadh.

It is not possible at this time to provide the statistical information requested by the Deputy in the format requested. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date. The procedure for the issuing of such holiday visas to individuals wishing to travel to Ireland is reviewed on an ongoing basis including the consideration with regards to risk assessment and processing arrangements.