Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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425. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the rationale for changing the requirements and procedures for visas for those from Bolivia; the reason for the short notice of same; what measures she intends to put in place to facilitate those who had already booked flights and made plans under the old rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41473/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of a visa requirement for Bolivian nationals has brought Ireland into alignment with the visa requirements applying in the UK and in the Schengen area. Bolivian nationals are required to obtain a visa prior to travelling to these jurisdictions.

Section 17 of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that the Minister for Justice may, for the purposes of ensuring the integrity of the immigration system, the maintenance of national security, public order or public health, or the orderly regulation of the labour market, or for the purposes of reciprocal immigration arrangements with other states or the promotion of tourism, by order, introduce requirements in respect of those who are required to be in possession of a visa for the purposes of entry to the State, or those who do not require a visa for that purpose.

In line with this provision , I introduced a visa requirement on Bolivia with effect from 12 September, 2023. As is the practice in these matters, prior consultation was undertaken with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

For those Bolivian nationals who had made plans to travel to Ireland before the visa requirement came into force on 12 September 2023, arrangements are in place to facilitate certain categories of emergency/priority travel (where that travel has been booked and paid for) and these arrangements are set out on the ISD website in the attached link;

www.irishimmigration.ie/update-for-bolivian-visa-customers/

Irish visa requirements are kept under ongoing review, having regard to the need to ensure that effective immigration controls are in place whilst also facilitating those who wish to travel to Ireland for the purposes of a visit, to work, to study or to join family members.