Vol. 495 No. 4
39 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason an applicant for a holiday visa to Ireland does not receive a formal explanation as to the reason such an application may have failed; the plans, if any, he has to reform this procedure in the light of the number of applications to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17685/98]
It has not been the practice of my Department to provide applicants with a formal explanation as to the reasons a visa application has not been successful. Persons affected by an act of a public body are, however, entitled to apply for a statement regarding the reasons for that act under section 18 of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. Officers in my Department will also endeavour to assist applicants to the greatest extent possible and will, for example, inform them where documentation of importance to the application has been omitted.
