Vol. 448 No. 8
34 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a date will be given for waiving the requirement for a visa to visit the United States of America on holiday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2968/95]
The formal arrangements for inclusion of Ireland in the US Visa Waiver Programme are expected to come into effect very shortly but a precise date is not yet available.
President Clinton signed the Nationality and Naturalisation Amendments Bill into law on 25 October, 1994. The next steps are publication by the State Department and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service of draft new regulations assessment after 30 days of comments by the public, publication of the regulations in their final form and formal determination by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General of the countries eligible for inclusion in the programme on a probationary basis.
Our Ambassador in Washington was recently assured by the State Department that the remaining administrative procedures will be completed and the new legislation brought into force very soon.
