In the case referred to by the Deputy, a visa was sought to enable the person concerned to make a short visit here. The visa was issued last January solely for this stated purpose. In supporting the visa application, her sponsor guaranteed that she would abide by the laws of the State and would leave within the three month time period specified in the visa application. The person concerned has not complied with the conditions attached to the granting of the visa based on the guarantees given which precluded, for example, seeking employment while in the State and, in addition, she is now residing here without the necessary permission as required by law. As a general rule, non-nationals who are subject to visa controls are required to abide by the specific conditions attached to the granting of a visa in any particular instance. Such a requirement is essential in the national interest to protect the integrity of our visa procedures and to ensure that the genuine reason for which a visa is sought is advanced at the time of application. A visa national seeking to enter the State for the purpose of employment is required to obtain an appropriate work visa in advance of entry following the issue of a work permit relevant to the employment in question. I have no proposals to amend the procedures which are in line with accepted international practice in this area and which are necessary to prevent, for instance, potential abuse of the labour market.
