Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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67. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the current restrictions on visa applications for citizens from Libya can be justified in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been offered a position as a registrar in Galway hospital but is unable to take up the position due to these restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15658/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to made a fresh visa application in the last few weeks to the Irish Embassy in Cairo stating that he is resident in Egypt but has not as yet submitted any supporting documentation. The Deputy can be assured that the application will be considered when the documentation is received and taking all relevant factors into account. The documentation should be sent to the Embassy as soon as possible.

More generally, the Deputy will know that the position in relation to current restrictions has been kept under review by INIS. Ultimately, an appropriate balance must be struck between State security and individual applicants who wish to come here. I have asked my officials to look again at the restrictions in place to consider if there may be some scope to extend the categories of applicants who may be considered for visa processing.