asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will give the names of the countries whose citizens are required to obtain the special visa of the Irish Government before entering this country; if he will state, in respect of each country, the place at which such visa is to be obtained; and whether it is his intention to endeavour to make a mutual arrangement, with any of these countries, under which the visa requirements may be discontinued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Visas.
Nationals of all countries, except those covered by the Aliens (Exemption) Order, 1935, are required to obtain an Irish visa before entering this country. The exempted countries are Australia, Canada, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, India, Newfoundland, New Zealand and South Africa. Irish visas may be obtained at the nearest Irish Legation or Consulate or, in the case of countries in which we are not represented, from the Department of External Affairs. The question of arranging visa abolition agreements with certain countries is at present under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.
I asked the Taoiseach if he will state, in respect of each country where a visa is required, the place where such a visa may be obtained?
I have said it may be obtained at the nearest Consulate or legation. I did not want to give a long list of the various countries. Those that are exempted form a relatively small number and I gave the answer by way of indicating the exempted countries. I indicated what the exemptions are. The main point is that the visa may be obtained at the nearest Irish legation or Consulate. In the case of other countries it may be obtained here in Dublin from headquarters.
In the case of Belgium or Holland, where would a person looking for an Irish visa have to go?
If we take Holland, a person has the choice of getting it from Paris or here or in London. A person could get the visa from any of these places.
So a Dutch or a Belgian citizen would have to travel to Paris to get a visa if he wanted to come to Ireland?
Not necessarily travel; it could be obtained by post.
Am I to understand that this matter is being inquired into in order to see whether any inconviences that might arise can be eliminated?
That matter is being considered and the question of arranging visa abolition agreements with certain countries.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state from what date and under what statutory authority the special visa of the Irish Government is required by persons wishing to enter this country.
The visa requirement was first introduced on the 22nd January, 1925, under the Aliens Order of that year. The present statutory authority for the requirement is Article 5 (2) h of the Aliens Order, 1935, made by the Minister for Justice under the Aliens Act, 1935.
Do I understand the Taoiseach to say the 22nd of January, 1935?
The 1935 date is the second one. The requirement was first introduced on the 22nd January, 1925. The present statutory authority for the requirement is the Order made by the Minister for Justice under the 1935 Act.