Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

135. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the extreme hardship her decision to continue with a blanket restriction on visa applications from Libya is having on persons that are studying and working here [12019/17]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

136. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will reconsider the present restrictions on visa applications from Libya and allow individual exemptions to be considered on humanitarian grounds, in view of the fact families are being torn apart and separated for years as a result of the decision. [12020/17]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 16 February, 2017 copied below for ease of reference. As I explained then, certain restrictions on consideration of Irish visa applications from residents of Libya have been in place since August, 2014 due to the political and security situation in Libya. In doing so, all relevant considerations including the ongoing security situation in Libya and the potential economic impact of the restrictions were taken into account.

There is also provision for a small number of exceptions to the extent indeed that 109 visas were granted to Libyan nationals in 2016, and 96 in the previous year. As with any visa application, each application is assessed individually based on its own merits and having regard to all the information put forward for consideration.

The Deputy can be assured that the position will continue to be kept under review by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department.

Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 16 February, 2017.

I can confirm that certain restrictions on consideration of Irish visa applications from residents of Libya have been in place since August, 2014 due to the political and security situation in Libya. In doing so, all relevant considerations including the ongoing security situation in Libya and the potential economic impact of the restrictions were taken into account.

There is provision for a small number of exceptions relating to the beef industry where applications may be accepted from persons who are known to and sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and/or An Bord Bia and who have a good travel history to Ireland, the UK or the Schengen countries. Certain applications in relation to the oil industry and which are supported by the internationally recognised Government in Libya are also considered.

The position continues to be kept under review by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department.