Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 May 1998

Vol. 155 No. 13

Adjournment Matter. - Visa Application Delay.

Mr. Ross

This serious matter was brought to my attention by the Dublin School of English. Its director and staff are concerned about the delay in a visa application which was made on 24 April. They find the reasons for the delay difficult to accept.

This case concerns 17 Mongolian businessmen who have applied to do a course in the Dublin School of English. This is a long standing business of great integrity which has put many students from abroad through its doors over many years. It is puzzled by the delay in processing this application. What they find disturbing is that although the Irish Embassy in Beijing was helpful and all the formalities were complied with by those applying, they were asked for additional information at the last minute when they expected it to be finally cleared. This additional information was not readily at hand, so the application was rejected.

An appeal was made which is being considered by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and his Department. As the tickets are booked for some time between 15 and 17 May, which is tomorrow, an urgent decision is necessary. The tickets and the money are not necessarily refundable or exchangeable and it may be difficult for them to come here for a later course.

I ask the Minister to speed up this appeal and to make an early decision on applications which I have no reason to believe lack anything but legitimacy. I understand the difficulties this particular problem poses for the Minister and his Department but it is important that small businesses which operate in a legitimate environment and have a track record which is of benefit to Ireland, the economy and tourism should not be obstructed in any way by red tape. I ask the Minister to ensure that the visas are issued at the earliest possible date or, if that is not possible, that a reason is given as to why the Irish Embassy in Beijing had to delay it at the last minute.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I thank Senator Ross for raising this matter thereby enabling me to clarify the position in this case.

Although visas are issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, my Department is responsible for determining to whom they should issue. It is my Department's policy to facilitate in so far as is possible bona fide entrants to travel to Ireland for the purposes of tourism, business work or, in this case, to study. This latter group has grown dramatically over the years and has now expanded beyond the traditional markets within the European Union with students coming to study in Ireland from as far as Russia, China, South East Asia and South America. This is an important growth industry for Ireland and the companies involved are to be congratulated for their initiative.

There are a number of general requirements made of persons applying for a visa to study in Ireland, including evidence of acceptance on an accredited course, payment of fees and so on. My Department would also assess the risk that, as unfortunately sometimes happens, a person remains in the country without permission after completing the course or is using the course in an effort to enter the country for other purposes. In common with other countries we have regard to factors such as the person's employment status, their stage in education and so on in making this evaluation.

The position in this case is that 17 applications were recently received in my Department from Mongolian nationals wishing to study in Ireland with the Dublin School of English. The visa applications were evaluated but refused in the first instance because they were not accompanied by sufficient supporting documentation to enable us to safely approve visas.

The Senator may be aware that there is provision for an internal appeal in all visa refusals. My Department has indicated to the Dublin School of English what type of additional documents might be of benefit to the applicants in making this appeal. Documents from the person's employers, colleges or other references which show they are bona fide applicants and are therefore likely not to abuse the system by overstaying would support their applications.

I hope this clarifies the position and that the school in question will now be able to make progress in this matter. Each case will be evaluated on it own merits and I am certainly not able to guarantee that visas will be approved on appeal. I assure the Senator, however, that they will receive fair and prompt attention. I assure him that what he said about booking the tickets and the possibility that moneys might not be refunded will be taken into account when dealing with this matter as expeditiously as possible.

Mr. Ross

I thank the Minister for his reply. There is a misunderstanding in the Minister's script where it says that no appeal has been made.

My information from the Dublin School of English is that an appeal has been made. That is something for the Minister to investigate, it is a matter of fact not of contention. I ask the Minister for an on the record assurance that a decision will be made as soon as possible as that is in everyone's interest.

Mr. O'Donoghue

I assure the Senator that a decision will be made as soon as possible.

The Seanad adjourned at 4.20 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Friday, 15 May 1998.