Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

72. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be taken on a European Union treaty rights visa application for the spouse of a person (details supplied). [2456/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department (INIS) that the visa application referred to is currently the subject of legal proceedings before the courts. The Deputy will appreciate therefore that I am limited in what I can say on the matter.

There are very large number of applications waiting to be processed at present which gives rise to the possible need for the Visa Office to investigate, enquire into, or seek further information in relation to many applications. All of this impacts on the timescale for processing.

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 visamail@justice.ie.