asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware of the large number of Irish citizens who have applied for visas to travel to the United States of America; and if he will make representations, to the United States Consul-General, to ascertain when it is likely that the necessary visas will be issued, so that applicants may be in a position to know the approximate date of their departure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - United States Visas.
I am aware of the position referred to by the Deputy. Facilities for passenger travel to the United States were very much restricted during the war, with the result that, now that the situation has altered, the number of visa applications reaching the American Consulate General is considerably higher than normal and greater, I understand, than the staff of the Consulate General can deal with expeditiously.
The American Minister and the Consul General are very anxious to relieve the position and every effort is being made to expedite the consideration of applications. It is obviously impossible, however, to indicate when particular applications are likely to be granted until the applications concerned have been examined and decisions reached with regard to them.
Would the Minister consider making representations to the State Department at Washington that sufficient staff should be retained at the Consulate General in Dublin, at least to dispose of the applications and to let people know whether they are going to get visas or not because at the present time very many persons have before them the prospect of waiting 18 months before they are informed as to whether the Government of the United States is prepared to grant them visas? It is very unsettling on young people who find it hard to put their minds down to following a career in this country for 18 months when they are living in anticipation of going to the United States, only to be disappointed in the final determination of the case.
I agree with the Deputy that the situation is not satisfactory but, as I stated in the last part of the reply, a difficulty arises at the very start in making an examination of the applications. Obviously no steps can be taken to grant visas until that is done. One cannot know whether a person is likely to be granted a visa or not before the application is examined.
Is it not a matter of staff and would the Minister consider making representations at Washington?
I think the United States Minister and Consul-General are making all these representations.
Has our Minister made any representations himself?
I should like to examine the propriety of making a reply to that question.
Between friends there is no harm in it.
Was the Minister asked to make representations?
I am asking him now.
Would the Minister take into account when considering the advisability of making representations, that perhaps in some circumstances— as I think in the case that prompted this particular question—persons find themselves presented with opportunities over there at the moment that may never occur again in a lifetime? There is a partnership waiting over there for the individual I have in mind. It has been kept open first for six months and then for a second six months. Eleven months have gone by and the application is still pending.
I shall have that particular case examined.
I was trying to get a woman out to her husband for over six months.