Vol. 418 No. 5
42 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by nationals of countries where Ireland does not have an embassy or active consular service, who wish to obtain necessary visas to travel to Ireland; if he intends to take any steps to facilitate these people, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
About 30 per cent of visa applications each year come from nationals of countries where Ireland does not have a resident Embassy nor an Honorary Consulate. Nationals of these countries may submit visa applications either directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs or through any of our diplomatic missions abroad.
In 1991, 3,929 applicants from countries in which we do not have a resident Embassy or Honorary Consulate received Irish visas. The Department have not received complaints of particular difficulties arising for this category of applicants. In all cases visa applications are handled as expeditiously as possible and every effort is made to facilitate the individuals concerned. However, if it appears that there is a problem in relation to a particular country, I will do everything possible to ensure that the necessary corrective action is taken.
