Vol. 432 No. 2
44 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will discuss with US authorities the necessity for clear and unambiguous requirements for Irish citizens requesting US visitor visas; the criteria used at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
48 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he proposes to take with the US Government in order to eliminate discrimination against Irish nationals in view of the fact that Ireland is the only member of the European Community whose citizens require entry visas to the United States.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 48 together.
Ireland is not the only member of the European Community whose citizens require a visa for the United States; citizens of Greece and Portugal face a similar requirement.
My Department has been in contact with the US authorities over a number of years about the possibility of waiving the visa requirement for Irish visitors to the United States. The US Immigration Reform and Control Act, 1986 provided for the establishment of a visa waiver pilot programme for visitors from a number of countries. However qualification under the programme depends on a low overstay rate on the part of visa holders; we are informed that, as of now, the Irish overstay rate is such as not to permit our inclusion in the programme.
