Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter regarding visas (details supplied) [49735/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am satisfied that the Visa Office in London ensures visa applications are processed efficiently and without undue delay. The ten day time frame is a guideline to ensure applications are lodged in a timely manner.

In a case such as the one referred to by the Deputy, the Visa Office will always endeavour to facilitate, where possible, by expediting the processing of the visa. In 2011, over 70% of visa applications processed by the visa office in London were done so within one week of receipt. In exceptional cases where a genuine urgency is demonstrated, visas can be issued in an even shorter period. In the case of persons who intend to travel regularly to Ireland, it is open to them to apply for a multiple entry visa.

Another option available to the person concerned, should he meet the statutory requirements, is to make an application for naturalisation under section 15A - naturalisation of spouses of Irish citizens - of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. My Department is constantly seeking ways in which the visa system can facilitate ease of movement for visitors and business travellers between the UK and Ireland, whilst maintaining the integrity of the Common Travel Area (CTA).

In tandem with the Visa Waiver Programme, work is ongoing, through regular Common Travel Area Forum meetings between Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and the UK Home Office, on the development of a short stay Common Travel Area visa which would allow tourists and business visitors to travel to the CTA and freely move between Ireland and the UK. It is anticipated that such a visa will prove an attractive option for tourists and business visitors, particularly in the context of the island of Ireland by facilitating visitors to travel freely between Northern Ireland and Ireland without the need for a separate Irish or UK visa.