Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 106: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on progress to make it easier for visitors or business persons coming from non-EU and emerging countries to obtain a visa; if the possibilities of exploring reciprocal recognition of our visas with Britain is being explored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11009/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will no doubt be aware of announcements in recent days in relation to the Government's Jobs Initiative. In conjunction with the Jobs Initiative, I announced yesterday in a speech to the Dáil details of a short term visa waiver scheme for visitors travelling to Ireland from the UK. This will be my Department's contribution to the range of supports and incentives which will be provided to support the tourism industry, especially in its efforts to attract visitors to Ireland from new and emerging markets.

The Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme will provide for visa-free travel to Ireland for the holders of UK visas from 14 additional countries. The Waiver Programme will cover tourists and business people from the countries concerned, which are in Asia, the Middle East, certain former Soviet and Yugoslav republics and Turkey, and which include the important emerging markets in China and India. Approximately 30,000 Short Stay visas were issued to visitors from the target countries during 2010. Under the Waiver Programme, visitors who are in possession of a valid visa to enter the UK will be able to travel to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a separate Irish visa. This will entail a saving or €60 per visitor or, for example, €240 in the case of a family of four. Importantly, this will ensure ease of travel throughout the island for visitors who wish to visit both Northern Ireland and this jurisdiction.

The Waiver Programme will be introduced on a pilot basis from July of this year to October 2012 (to cover London Olympics period and beyond). The pilot programme will be monitored throughout its running and is capable of being amended or expanded at any point.