asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has issued, or has been asked to issue, visas to citizens of any countries who wish to leave such countries in exchange for their freedom; his policy in that regard; if he has issued any such visas; and if the people concerned have been released by the authorities in the countries concerned.
Written Answers. - Issue of Visas.
193.
As I stated in the Dáil yesterday, applications for visas to enter Ireland by persons who wish to leave other countries in exchange for their freedom are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and each case is decided on its merits. In deciding on each application a number of factors are taken into consideration, including the likelihood that the applicant will be able to adjust satisfactorily to living in Ireland and the situation in which he would find himself in regard to language, accommodation and housing.
A small number of applications have been received in recent months from persons, all but one of whom are in prison. No visa has been granted to date, but all the applications are receiving consideration in accordance with the guidelines in the preceding paragraph.