Vol. 491 No. 1
61 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in issuing a visa to a person (details supplied); and the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that this visa is issued as a matter of urgency. [11554/98]
The Consulate in Karachi closed on 3 May on the resignation of the Honorary Consul. Because of the absence from Karachi of the former Honorary Consul for the past fortnight, there has been a delay in sending to the Department of Foreign Affairs visa applications presented to the Consulate in the last week that the Consulate was operating. I understand that an application from the person mentioned is among those which have been delayed.
The Department has been informed by the former Honorary Consul that he will send on these applications by courier and that they will arrive in the Department on 15 or 18 May. They will then be sent immediately to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for decision.
