Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the current visa arrangements applicable to Chinese citizens who wish to attend a recognised school or third level college here and to visit Ireland as tourists; the reforms, if any, he intends to introduce to make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39953/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Comprehensive guidance in relation to the current visa arrangements applicable to Chinese citizens are available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).

As with all visas 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 individual merits and I believe that, in most cases, my Department achieves this balance.

Currently, straightforward 'visit' visa applications are being decided upon within 10 working days by the Visa Office, Beijing. The decision time frame is even shorter where applications are lodged via a Chinese government approved tourist agent, such applications being decided upon within 1 - 3 working days. The current processing time for straightforward 'study' visa applications is 20 working days.

My Department continually examines ways in which the visa process can facilitate the promotion of tourism in the State, including in cooperation with the United Kingdom with whom we have a common travel area, in conformity with the needs of an effective immigration regime. In this respect, as the Deputy will be aware, a document entitled "New Immigration Regime For Full Time Non-EEA Students" was launched by the Government on 22 September. This was in tandem with the Government's 5 year strategy document " Investing in Global Relationships - Ireland's International Education Strategy 2010–15". Copies of these documents are available from the websites of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and the Department of Education and Skills respectively.