Nuala Fennell
Question:11 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Justice the reason two students (details supplied) are unable to obtain multi-entry visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Multi-Entry Visa Applications.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that multi-entry visas will be granted to both persons referred to in the question.
I thank the Minister for his prompt response which will be appreciated, too, by the students studying in my constituency. Given that we want to develop overseas educational services, would it not be a good idea if this was more streamlined and students regularly studying here did not have to go to their TDs as a last resort? Will the Minister confirm that it is possible for students to apply and get multi-entry visas more easily than this pair did?
I took special note of what the Deputy had to say on this matter and I am pleased that it worked out well. Careful consideration is given to all visa applications. It is not generally realised that we have a weekly average of about 300 applications and only about 15 per cent of them are refused. We try to speed up the process as much as possible. I am having a special look at this as I have an interest in it. Something needs to be done in that area.
The figure the Minister is giving certainly belie the impression that is abroad that the Minister has a very hard attitude towards non-nationals coming into the country. Does the Minister accept that we should establish an open procedure of application and right of appeal in all these cases so that guidelines can be adhered to and people would have a right to be heard by way of appeal where requirements are not being met? Would the Minister accept that the current situation is very unsatisfactory?
We are straying from the subject matter of the question. It concerns two students.
The Deputy is wandering into the whole area of visa control. Every country operates some form of visa system and ours is operated in an expert way. The Minister is not a hard man at all. The Deputy will see that there is quite a small number of visa refusals. We have to be very careful in this area. The Deputy can take it from me that no decision is taken on an arbitrary basis. Perhaps it is because I insist that it is not done in that way that there is a slight delay sometimes, but we try to clear in about three weeks the type of visas with which Deputy Fennell is concerned. I am taking a personal interest in the whole area of visa and immigration control. I would like to see some changes taking place.