Vol. 513 No. 5
71 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the telephone service available at the visa office (details supplied); the number of queries per week being received on this line; the number of staff available to answer these queries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2885/00]
The visa section in my Department handles queries regarding visa applications it is processing on a special telephone line set up specifically for this purpose. Five members of staff service this visa line which operates from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The number of callers to this line is not recorded on a routine basis but a random sample would indicate that approximately 150 queries are received each day. The volume of calls fluctuates, with far more calls received during the busy summer and Christmas holiday periods.
My Department is at present considering the provision of alternative accommodation for the visa section and this will improve the service that can be provided on the help line.
72 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a tourist visa for a person (details supplied) was denied; the reason she was told that the sponsor in this case was deemed to be unsuitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2886/00]
As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 685 last Wednesday from Deputy Gormley, the visa application in question was refused because it had not been established, on the basis of the docu mentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would observe the conditions of a visit visa.
As has been indicated to the applicant, it is open to her to appeal against the refusal of a visa by writing to the visa appeals officer in my Department together with any further information or documentation in support of the application. My Department has no record of an appeal from the applicant.
I am not aware that the applicant was advised that her reference in Ireland was considered to be unsuitable, nor is this the Department's view. There is, however, a general reluctance to approve visas for persons whose sole reference in Ireland has met them only once during a brief visit abroad and this would have been taken into account in reaching a decision on this application.
