Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 710: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the short stay visa in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason in some cases the visa is issued for six months and the person is only allowed to stay for three months; if there is any procedures for family re-unions for foreign nationals who are resident here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27252/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The visa referred to by the Deputy is a short stay multiple entry visa which is valid for a period of six months. This allows the holder to travel to Ireland on a number of occasions during the dates shown on the visa for short stays with each stay not exceeding a period of 90 days.

Regarding family reunification on a more permanent basis, it is open to the person concerned to apply for a 'join spouse' visa in order to reside with his spouse. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits with the onus resting on the applicant to satisfy the visa officer as to why the visa sought should be granted.

Guidelines on the visa application process, including details of the required supporting documents, are available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).

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.