Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

206. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14867/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a request from the person concerned for permission to reside in the State on Stamp 4 conditions was received on 6 March 2019.  The Deputy will appreciate that applications are dealt with in chronological order.

I am also advised that INIS wrote to the person on 27 March seeking further information.  The matter will be given detailed consideration upon receipt of a response.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on an article in a publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14922/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While I am aware of the article referred to, the Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment on individual cases, such as referred to in the article.

More generally however, I can say, that the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS), when deciding on visa applications need to balance a wide range of factors including the economic interests of the State, maintaining an effective immigration regime, etc. while facilitating travel for those seeking to come to Ireland for a wide variety of legitimate reasons.This is the same for all visa services worldwide.

Each visa application is decided on its individual circumstances taking all factors and circumstances into account. In this regards, the timescale for processing visas can vary depending on the wide range of factors involved.

I am, of course, very conscious of the importance of these markets to the Irish economy and to the agriculture sector in particular. In that context, the Deputy can be assured that every effort is made by INIS to keep visa processing times to a minimum, and to help facilitate such trade and investment where possible.