Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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79. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will explore the measures possible to ensure the safe passage of an Irish family's family members (details supplied) to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27216/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my response of 21 June 2016 to Question No. 106 of 2016 in relation to this matter (copied underneath).

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department understands that the persons concerned have appointments to obtain new travel documents from their home country in November, 2016. Until they are in possession of valid travel documents, INIS will not be in a position to accept a visa application.

Again, the Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases 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 .

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the INIS Visa Office (visamail@justice.ie).

Response to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of Tuesday 21 June, 2016:

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons referred to are of a nationality required to hold a valid visa in order to travel to Ireland.

I am also advised that an official from INIS was in touch with their family member to advise on the procedure for making visa applications. However, it appears that the persons involved do not currently hold valid travel documents and it is therefore not possible to process visa applications until such time as they do.

The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases 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.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the INIS Visa Office (visamail@justice.ie).