Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress he has made on the issuing of Schengen visas for entry to Ireland from new and emerging markets, in particular visas from mainland China as it applies to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1533/11]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is not a party to the Schengen Convention and does not, therefore, issue Schengen visas. My Department continually keeps under review visa arrangements with visa-required countries including China. In this regard, the Deputy may wish to know that the Approved Destination Status initiative put in place in April 2010 with the Chinese authorities, whereby the National Tourism Administration of China approve group tourist applications, has proved beneficial. The number of visa applications received by the Irish Visa Office in Beijing grew from 4,603 in 2009 to 5,211 in 2010, a 13% increase.