Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the options available to a host regarding requests for information from hosts in supporting applicants for visitors visas by INIS who does not want to reveal his banking account details for sound sensitive commercial reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16358/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Where a visa application is made on the basis that a person resident in Ireland will host the applicant for the duration of their visit, evidence of the host's finances, including bank statements, is required to be submitted as part of the application. This is a standard requirement by immigration authorities in jurisdictions around the world. Such information is necessary in order to demonstrate to the visa officer that adequate financial support will be available to the applicant concerned for the duration of their intended visit, particularly should any unforeseen circumstances arise.This requirement decreases the likelihood that the granting of a visa could result in a cost to State funds or resources, an important consideration in any decision to approve a visa application.

I can assure the Deputy that all information and documentation provided as part of a visa application is treated in complete confidence and is used for no purpose other than the making of the decision on the application concerned. In addition, of course, such information is subject to the provisions and safeguards of the Data Protection Acts.

Information as to the visa application process (including a link to the on-line application form) can be found on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website (). It should be borne in mind, however, that the information contained on the website is intended to act as guidance only. As every visa applicant and their circumstances are unique, it is impossible to be completely prescriptive about the type of supporting information that should be supplied and accordingly, such details are dealt with as part of the application process.