Vol. 429 No. 7
65 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice whether there are any circumstances in which visas have been issued to persons who have already entered Ireland, without requiring them to leave the country as a precondition; and if the case of a woman married to an Irish citizen could be afforded such a facility.
Possession of a visa is a statutory requirement for the nationals of certain countries who wish to apply to enter the State and it would be contrary to the established general practice to issue a visa to a person who has knowingly entered the State without obtaining an appropriate visa in advance. Having said that, each application is considered on its individual merits having regard to the overall circumstances of the applicant and due consideration is given to the reasons advanced in support of an application such as, for example, marriage to an Irish citizen.
