Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 460 of 12 June 2012, if the advertisement for the visa office posts in April 2010 expressly stated that the staff members had to hold Irish citizenship and if not, the reason for same; the reason non Irish citizen staff members are unable to take up these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30750/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the relevant Office Notice circulated in April 2010 did not state that the staff members had to hold Irish citizenship in order to apply. It has, however, been the practice that staff posted abroad, as advised in my earlier reply to which the Deputy refers, are expected to hold Irish citizenship in order to take up that posting. Where staff cannot satisfy this requirement it is not possible to assign them to such a posting. This, I understand, has been a long and established practice. Whilst it is not essential, as a matter of general practice, staff of this Department of whatever grade serving in missions abroad must be capable of being accredited to the country in which they are posted. Accreditation can only be requested for, and therefore afforded to, Irish citizens.

The Deputy may wish to note that in the context of the work undertaken by the officers who serve abroad representing this country and making important decisions, in these instances, on visa applications, I consider it entirely appropriate and reasonable that the staff concerned be Irish citizens. However, I am advised by my Department that it regrets that the previous Office Notice to which the Deputy has referred did not make the citizenship requirement explicit and so as to avoid any doubts into the future will ensure that all future similar Notices make the requirement clear.