Written answers

Thursday, 26 April 2012

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Visa Applications

8:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) is being asked to undertake a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21003/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I do not propose to comment on the detail of this case involving as it does sensitive private matters of the individuals in question. However, as a matter of general practice, the provision of DNA evidence while not mandatory is often suggested to visa applicants as definitive supporting evidence for the claim of parentage. In a number of cases, visa applications involving parentage of children have not been pursued when supplementary evidence of parentage, such as DNA evidence, is sought from the applicant. If DNA evidence is not supplied, a decision will be based on other evidence of parentage supplied by the applicant. While DNA evidence can offer conclusive proof of the family relationship claimed and support a positive decision on the visa application, no direct, negative inference will be drawn from the fact that the applicant does not wish to undergo DNA testing.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, this information has been sent directly to the legal representatives of the person concerned.

I should add for the sake of clarity that as a general rule the practice of seeking DNA evidence (which is also commonplace in other jurisdictions) in connection with immigration related applications is in place as a measure to prevent fraud. This of course is not to suggest that there are such concerns in this case.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

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