Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 203: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) married to an Irish national was refused entry into Ireland; and if their case will be reviewed. [31365/12]

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

The person referred to by the Deputy is a national of the Philippines and in accordance with Statutory Instrument 345 of 2011 Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (No 2) Order 2011 is required to be in possession of a valid Irish visa when seeking entry to the State.

The visa application was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 16 November 2011. Following full consideration, the visa officer decided to refuse the grant of the visa for the following reasons:

- Evidence of finances provided was deemed incomplete. An up to date bank statement for at least 6 months must be submitted;

- The granting of the visa may result in a cost to public funds and resources.

It was open to the person concerned to appeal the decision of the Visa Officer within two months of the date of refusal, in this case before the 8 February 2012. Correspondence in relation to this application was received in the Visa Office, INIS on 23 January 2012, however, no reference to an appeal was made in this correspondence. On 17 February a reply issued which advised the applicant that it was open to her to make a fresh application for a visa at any time in the future.

A letter of appeal was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 6 March 2012. As this appeal was received after 8 February 2012 it was not considered and was returned to the applicant.

However, I can inform the Deputy that a fresh application from the person in question was received on 15 May 2012 and a decision to grant the visa was made on 25 June 2012.

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.