Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: 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. [31366/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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 the 18 November 2011. Following full consideration, the visa officer decided to refuse the grant of the visa for the following reasons:

- No evidence of a relationship being in existence prior to the marriage was provided. For immigration purposes it is not sufficient for a relationship to have developed over the internet or by telephone/sms. A relationship must include a number of face to face meetings (excluding webcam) between the parties. An applicant must satisfy the visa officer that the relationship is bona-fide.

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

In addition the visa officer felt that the granting of the visa may result in a cost to public funds and resources.

An appeal against this refusal was received on 10 February 2012 and the original decision to refuse the application was upheld by the visa appeal officer on 22 February 2012.

It is open to the person concerned to make a fresh application at any time in the future, however, they should be in a position to address the issues of concern raised by the visa officer. 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.