asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state what are the steps which will have to be taken by persons residing in Great Britain who desire to come to Ireland for the Christmas holidays in order to obtain travel or other permits to come here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Travel Facilities for Christmas.
Persons residing in Britain and desiring to travel to this country must, in the first place, provide themselves with a passport or travel permit. Passports and travel permits are issued to Irish citizens at the High Commissioner's office in London and at the Irish passport offices in Glasgow and Liverpool. In addition, all persons desiring to leave Great Britain are required, under British regulations, to obtain an exit permit from the appropriate British authorities before departure. Exit permits are issued at the British passport and permit offices in London. Liverpool, Cardiff and Glasgow, and I understand that persons intending to apply for exit permits are officially advised to make application it least ten days before the proposed date of departure.
Will the Taoiseach say whether, at the present time, application has to be made in person at these centres, or whether application can be made by post?
I am not quite sure of that. Probably either course will do.
The Taoiseach will understand that the principal point in this matter is the expense and inconvenience that persons are likely to be put to in getting these permits. Will the Taoiseach have the matter gone into from that point of view, and see whether the Information Bureau will issue a statement that can become generally known, because really a very large number of people are distressed at the difficulty and expense that their relatives in Great Britain are likely to be caused in coming here?
I have been informed, from enquiries I have since made, that application can be made by letter as well as personally.
Does that refer not only to the passports required by the Irish authorities but also in respect of permits by the British authorities?
It refers to both. I will have the matter further examined into.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply, docs the Taoiseach intend to convey that what is called the Irish visa which has to be sought in England, is obtainable as a result of application through the post? I ask this because I was informed by somebody that he was obliged to go personally to the office to get the visa. Has the Taoiseach any information on that matter that he could now give the House?
The whole question is being further examined into and the Deputy will be informed as to what the position is.