James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the spouse of a person who is an Irish citizen (details supplied) was refused a joint spouse visa; the length of time the appeal will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21430/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The visa application reference number 2187482 referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Cairo on the 12 July 2009. Following consideration by a Visa Officer, the application was refused on the 6 August 2009. The application was refused for the following reasons: INCO:- Inconsistencies e.g. contradictions in the information supplied - The person referred to made a visa application for a 'Join-Spouse (Irish National)', however in supporting documentation submitted with the application a 'visit Visa' is mentioned several times and also a request for a 'Long Stay Visa'. It is therefore very unclear as to what visa was actually applied for. The person referred to was advised that if applying for a 'Join Spouse Visa', they must appeal this decision. If however applying for a 'Visit Visa' they should make a new application. In addition, if applying for a 'visit Visa' they should visit the following website which sets out the details in regards to application www.embassyofireland.org.

This application was appealed on 24 August 2009 and the decision to refuse the application was upheld by the visa appeal officer on 24 August 2009. The visa application reference number 3123752 referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Cairo on the 1 December 2009. Following consideration by a Visa Officer, the application was refused on the 17 December 2009. The application was refused for the following reasons: F:- Finances:- evidence provided was deemed insufficient or incomplete - has not submitted 6 months bank statements of reference in Ireland; has not submitted 3 pay-slips from reference in Ireland; has not submitted the P60 of reference in Ireland for 2008. RH:- Relationship History - Has not shown evidence of a relationship being in existence prior to visa application/marriage. Note: For immigration purposes it is not sufficient for a relationship to have developed over the internet or by telephone/sms. A relationship must include a number of face to face meetings (excluding webcam) between the parties. Applicants must satisfy the Visa Officer that the relationship is bona-fide.

The visa application reference number 3696062 referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Cairo on the 16 March 2010. Following consideration by a Visa Officer, the application was refused on the 13 April 2010. The application was refused for the following reasons: F:- Finances:- evidence provided is deemed insufficient or incomplete.

IS:- Immigration status of the reference in Ireland. Evidence of this has not been provided - copy of passport of reference OB:- Obligations to return to home country not shown - e.g., no social, economic or professional ties in home country shown.

OC:- Observe the conditions of the visa - the visa sought is for a specific purpose and duration:- the applicant has not satisfied the Visa Officer that such conditions would be observed.

Concerning application 3696062, it is open to the persons concerned to appeal the decision of the Visa Officer within two months of the date of refusal, in this case before the 13 June 2010. Comprehensive information on all aspects of the visa application process and the documents required is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie). Each individual visa application is considered on its individual merits, with the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why a visa should be granted.