Vol. 434 No. 3
9 Mr. Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he intends to make to the US authorities to facilitate the issue of visas to Irish soccer fans wishing to attend the World Cup in the United States in 1994.
13 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
30 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
33 Mr. Harte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
34 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedures to be put in place to allow Irish supporters to travel to the USA to support the 1994 World Cup Finals; if he has satisfied himself with the arrangements to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he intends to make to the US authorities to facilitate the issue of visas to Irish soccer fans wishing to attend the World Cup in the United States in 1994.
46 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
51 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
55 Miss Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he intends to make to US authorities to facilitate the issue of visas to Irish soccer fans wishing to attend the World Cup in the United States in 1994.
57 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he intends to make to US authorities to facilitate the issue of visas to Irish soccer fans wishing to attend the World Cup in the United States in 1994.
64 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
70 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he intends to make to the US authorities to facilitate the issue of visas to Irish soccer fans wishing to attend the World Cup in the United States in 1994.
73 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
81 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
83 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he intends to make to the US authorities to facilitate the issue of visas to Irish soccer fans wishing to attend that World Cup in the United States in 1994.
90 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Embassy to guarantee visas to Irish citizens wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 1994.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 13, 30, 33, 34, 37, 46, 51, 55, 57, 64, 70, 73, 81, 83, and 90 together.
I share the total confidence of this House that the Irish team will qualify for the World Cup finals. All our preparations are certainly being made on that basis, and judging by the number of questions, everybody obviously likes winners.
We have already made representations on the visa issue to the US authorities at the highest level. When President Robinson was in Washington in May she mentioned our concerns to President Clinton. During the same visit, I met Secretary of State Warren Christopher and emphasised our concern that everything possible be done to smooth the way for Irish fans travelling to the US. I intend to take up the matter again when I visit Washington next month.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Ireland in Congress have also raised the issue with the US authorities. Our embassy in Washington is continuing to impress on the Immigration and Naturalisation Service and other relevant agencies the importance we attach to the matter.
In Dublin, my Department are maintaining close contact with the US Embassy, the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Travel Agents' Association about special arrangements that can be made to process passport and visa applications rapidly.
Everyone involved fully realises the importance of a positive and flexible approach and the need to ensure that genuine supporters do not encounter visa problems.
I would like to use this opportunity to make a special plea to fans intending to travel to the US to assist by applying for passports and visas in good time.
Has the Minister got his ready?
The Minister referred to people having confidence. I ask him to note that the many questions tabled on this subject indicate particular confidence in the Fine Gael benches. All the questions have been tabled by Members from those benches.
Will the Minister agree that if the Irish team are playing in the Boston area thousands of people will apply to go to the United States for the World Cup, many of whom will be young, unemployed and well educated people? Will the Minister agree also that those are the cartegories of people who will have the most difficulty in securing visas under the present stringent conditions attached to visa applications for the World Cup? In those circumstances will the Minister assure us that everything possible will be done to ensure that the necessary advance arrangements are made so that chaos, disappointment and hardship are avoided?
I assure Deputy Currie that every effort will be made in that regard. The Government has been conscious for some time of the potential problems that may arise in relation to visas for the World Cup. As far back as last May the matter was raised with President Clinton in Washington.
Despite the tradition of Gaelic football in north Kerry, I will probably receive as many requests for visas to the United States for the World Cup as any other Deputy in this House.
The same is true of Tyrone and Derry and even more so in recent times.
God help Mayo.
All I can say is "God help Mayo". Obviously, many people will apply for visas to the United States for the World Cup and I would advise them to apply for their passports and visas in good time. Our discussions with the Football Association of Ireland, the US Embassy and the Irish Travel Agents Association will eliminate many of the problems which could arise, especially having regard to the experience of the Football Association of Ireland and Irish Travel Agents Association in respect of the World Cup in Italy. I hope that with the co-operation of the US Embassy we can eliminate many of the difficulties that could arise.
I am well aware that the Minister is extremely diligent in respect of his constituency in north Kerry, but I was disappointed that I did not receive a reply to a letter I submitted to his Department on 9 July, having first raised the matter on the Adjournment of the Dáil.
We must bear in mind that the criteria laid down by the American Embassy for entry to the US will eliminate a number of football supporters. Will the Minister ensure as far as possible that proof of having attended previous qualification and World Cup matches is taken as a genuine intererst in the game for those wishing to travel to the United States? On a broader note, while the American Embassy issued 600,000 visas to this country in the past ten years, will the Minister investigate why Ireland is one of the few countries requiring a visa to enter the United States? The same stringent requirements do not apply to most of our European partners.
We are having a broadening of the question.
I will try to reply to the various strands of Deputy Kenny's jumbo question and I regret if he did not receive a reply to correspondence submitted to my Department. I am unsure whether I should send replies to his Dublin or Mayo address, but if he raises that matter with me again I will reply to it.
Many difficulties arise in respect of visas to the United States, some of which have been raised in this House from time to time. I would remind the Deputy that the American Embassy, as an agent of the American Administration, makes its own rules and regulations and we will consider the Deputy's suggestion in the discussions which will take place between the embassy, the FAI and the Irish Travel Agents Association. I commend the FAI for its accommodation of soccer fans both on a domestic level and on trips abroad and for the great work it has done for the sport. This matter will require consultation and negotiation between the US Embassy and ourselves and we will do everything possible to eliminate any problems which might arise. Indeed, many problems will arise because of the strict criteria laid down by the US Embassy but we will do everything possible to eliminate them and, for that reason, we commenced negotiations on this matter last May.
Will the Minister agree that since citizens from nine of the 12 member states, including Northern Ireland, do not require a visitors visa to enter the US and the same applies to citizens of San Marino, Liechtenstein and New Zealand, the problem is not one of representation to the US Embassy but of updating two friendship agreements, the No. 7 Treaty of 1950 and the No. 10 Treaty of 1948, which seem to have operated in only one direction? I regret that I must take away from some of the good natured exchanges that have taken place between the two countries, but we have provided a fine house in the Phoenix Park at a cost of 1p a year as part of a friendship agreement between the two countries.
I would dissuade the Deputy from going down that avenue.
The Deputy is not talking about the President.
Will the Minister inform the House why citizens of the Republic of Ireland visiting the United States require visas? Is he aware that visas are given to other EC member states with a higher rate of unemployment than Ireland? Is he further aware that US citizens coming to Ireland, including people working in this House, do not require a visa? If the agreements on economic co-operation and friendship are relevant, why are we being treated in that manner?
As I stated in a reply to Deputy Kenny, the US authorities are responsible for the implementation of US law but I am aware of the discrepancy raised by the Deputy and I will pursue it. Obviously I would prefer if visas were not required for Irish citizens travelling to the United States and that is the desired conclusion, but at present we must endeavour to put in place a system whereby we can obtain the visas required for the World Cup. In the context of our discussions in that regard we can attempt to make progress in respect of securing access to the United States for Irish citizens without a visa. The American Government and our friends in Congress have been extremely helpful in providing access to the US for Irish citizens in the past number of years by way of the Morrison and Donnelly visas.
I am sure the Minister will agree that our football supporters are excellent ambassadors for this country They have conducted themselves well on previous outings in Italy, Stuttgart and elsewhere. Is the Minister aware that people born here prior to 1949 can travel to the United States without a visa if they avail of a British passport to which they are entitled? There are many people in my constituency, including myself, who were born prior to 1949. Many people living in my constituency and elsewhere in this country were born in the UK and can travel to the United States without a visa. A high level representation should be made to the US authorities to extend the same facilities to our supporters as the British and other supporters would be entitled to if they qualify.
Which is unlikely.
I concur with Deputy McGinley's remarks in relation to the Irish supporters. It was reported widely that Irish supporters were ambassadors for this country during the World Cup in Italy. Many Italians visit this country as a result of friendships between our soccer supporters and members of the Italian community. I am aware of the anomalies raised by Deputy McGinley and those matters are the subject of discussion by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the United States Embassy and the United States Administration. I will raise them during my visit to Washington next month.
Would the Minister agree that the Economic Co-operation Agreement, No. 10, 1948 and the Friendship Commerce and Navigation Agreement, No. 7, 1950 have not been implemented because of our position on neutrality and that the decision to deny visas is a political one? Citizens of nine of the 12 European states, as well as people in Northern Ireland. Liechtenstein, San Marino, New Zealand and Switzerland do not require a visa to travel to the United States. Yet, we who hold friendship and economic agreement with the US——
Brevity, please. Will the Deputy ask a supplementary question.
——and treat the representative of United States Government in a special way have a form of apartheid operated against us. Will the Minister take up directly with the Amercian Administration the question of the implementation of these agreements and, if necessary, negotiate a further bilateral agreement to put an end to this practice?
It has not arisen in any discussions I had with representatives of the American Administration that Ireland's position on neutrality has a bearing on the access of our citizens to the United States.
The Minister should read the writing of Tim Pat Coogan.
This country has an important historical relationship with the United States of America. Deputies will be aware that upwards of 42 million US citizens claim Irish descent and we should do everything possible to build on the strong historical links between that country and Ireland. I share the Deputy's concern in relation to access for our citizens to the United States and these are matters I will take up with the American administration.
Is the Minister aware that Fine Gael members are concerned that many genuine football supporters may be denied visas? I ask him to accept that representations need to be made at the highest level to ensure people who wish to support our team are not disappointed by being denied visas to attend the World Cup next year. Having regard to what may be referred to as our special relationship with the Americans, will the Minister accept that we are being discriminated against from the point of view of a visa requirement? Indeed, the attitude of consular officials in many instances at the embassy is one of indifference, unhelpfulness, rudeness and arrogance and that is not acceptable. Will the Minister bear in mind that the appeals procedure whereby a TD could vouch for a person who had been denied a visa was withdrawn last year?
Does the Deputy know why that is the case?
There was no cause for it as far as I am concerned. Genuine people were refused visas and this caused a certain amount of anger. Will the Minister accept the genuine concern of members of the Fine Gael Party and that we must take action now to avoid disappointment next year.
The Fine Gael Party does not represent all the soccer supporters in the country.
Not yet.
As I stated at the outset, I have had many discussions with American embassy officials in relation to visa applications because, like any rural Deputy whether in Opposition or in Government I must go through the lobbying system. I thought the system introduced by the American Embassy which provided Oireachtas Members with a special facility whereby they could guarantee visa applicants was a sound and workable one and resulted from representations by Members of this House. Unfortunately, this system was abused and it is because of that abuse by a small number of Members that all Members lost their privileges.
Those Members should be blacklisted. Why should we all have to suffer?
The system was abused. It is regrettable that some Members took advantage of the co-operation of the US embassy. If they had not done so we would all still enjoy that excellent facility.
I accept what the Minister said about abuse. It is regrettable that Members of this House should show such irresponsibility. Nonetheless, the resulting situation is unsatisfactory. One is left with the impression on many occasions that people are told curtly that in one context or another they cannot go to the United States and that they need not bother reapplying for 12 months and they receive this information on a photocopied sheet of paper.
Brevity please, Deputy.
Will the Minister consider a proposal I made at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, before Fine Gael became so interested in this matter, that the posting of a performance bond for people in high risk categories might be considered. Many genuine people who wish to travel to the United States are in such categories and many know of people who will act as guarantors for them in a tangible way but such a measure will not persuade the American authorities to grant visas because there is no system in place to allow for that.
I accept the position is unsatisfactory. I will convey the views of this House and those expressed this afternoon to the US Ambassador whom I hope to meet shortly. We will continue to pursue a solution to this problem first by addressing the immediate problems in relation to the World Cup and, secondly, the matters raised by Deputy Mitchell. The matter raised by Deputy McDowell in the context of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs is one which has also been taken up.
Deputy McDowell's last comment had soundings of leadership. The American Embassy issued 600,000 visas to Irish people during the past ten years. I endorse the Minister's comments about the privilege given to Oireachtas Members being abused by a small number of Members which has resulted in that privilege being withdrawn. Will the Minister liaise with the FAI to ensure that the people who will be refused visas will have at their disposal an early appeals system and that they might be allowed to have a representative who may also act as guarantor for them in attendance at the appeal to present their case? The matter should be dealt with on a confidential basis between a consular official and the applicant. An early appeals system with that facility would iron out any remaining difficulties.
Members will appreciate that we are discussing a special situation in 1994 in relation to Ireland qualifying for the World Cup. The Irish Travel Agents Association has suggested that approximately 18,000 to 20,000 people will wish to travel to the matches in the United States. Obviously it will require great co-operation between the FAI, the travel agents and the US Embassy to satisfy the demand, apart from any difficulties traditionally associated with visas. The demand will require a special operation and will put enormous strain on the American Embassy. I will liaise with the FAI, whose co-operation has been outstanding. The manner in which they look after their supporters is second to none. I will be working with them, the travel agents and the embassy and I hope we can resolve the difficulties.
I am grateful that the Tánaiste will take up the matter with the US Administration. Would the Tánaiste agree that while we are anxious to have visas made available to supporters who will want to travel to the US for the World Cup, the essential problem is that the population of the Republic of Ireland is being treated differently from 95 per cent of the population of the European Community, including enclaves associated with the Community like Liechtenstein and San Marino and countries of similar size to Ireland, such as New Zealand, would he also agree that the real solution is to put an end to this unfair treatment? We have a special relation with the US which has worked very well so far.
Reluctant as I am to agree with Deputy Mitchell in view of certain remarks made by him recently, on this occasion I agree with him. I will take up the matter with the US Embassy at an early date. It would reduce our constituency work if that facility was provided, but I cannot promise an early result.
In view of the importance of this matter would the Tánaiste consider informing the American authorities that all Irish people should not be tarred with the same brush because some people irresponsibily abused the privilege of guarantors? If the Americans restore this facility and it is abused I suggest that names should be supplied to the Minister or to this House and we should undertake to publish them. Would the Americans consider that proposal in the lead up to the World Cup?
My understanding is that that suggestion was put to the US officials in the embassy. Because of the difficulties caused by a few Deputies, the American Embassy were not inclined to reinstate that system. I will raise the matter with the US Ambassador in the ongoing discussions between the embassy, the FAI and the Irish travel agents in an effort to find a solution. We expect that there will be between 18,000 and 20,000 travellers many of whom will already have visas but I want to ensure that Irish soccer fans travelling to the US will not create difficulties which would affect our relationship with the embassy. I assure Deputy Currie and other Deputies that everything possible will be done to ensure that this does not become a serious problem.
Where the Americans recognise the chaos that could prevail, they may be prepared in their interests as well as ours to have another look at this proposal.
It has not been acknowledged that the American Embassy at the initiation of the new Ambassador, Mrs. Kennedy Smith, recently, installed an appeals officer to deal with visa refusals and that process has worked very well. Comments and recommendations from TDs are invited and on three occasions I found the process to be successful. In any discussions between the Tánaiste and the American Embassy the appointment of this officer should be acknowledged.
Agreed.
