Finian McGrath
Question:1035 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) receives the maximum advice and assistance with their work visa. [21373/04]
View answerWednesday, 29 September 2004
Questions (852, 853)
Written answers
Arrangements have recently been made by my Department to enable the person concerned to renew his permission to remain in the State at his local immigration office.
Finian McGrath
Question:1036 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a holiday visa to Ireland; and if he will urgently change this ridiculous situation. [21376/04]
View answerA visa application on behalf of the person concerned was received in my Department on 20 August 2003 for the stated purpose of coming to Ireland for a holiday period of four weeks. The application was supported by documentation from her Irish sponsor indicating that he had known her for the previous year and that he was anxious for her to attend a family wedding. No documentation was submitted to show they had ever met, nor were the details of the wedding she was proposing to attend enclosed. The application was refused because the visa officer was unable to conclude, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would observe the conditions of the visa.
In February 2004, some five months following the refusal of the visa, the applicant's Irish sponsor submitted an appeal on her behalf. In this appeal the sponsor indicated that the employment details as stated by the applicant in her visa application were "incorrect". In her visa application the applicant stated her occupation as "accountant" and submitted an employer's reference letter confirming her employment and salary with the company as evidence. The sponsor now provided details of a different employment with alternative employer's letters. The visa appeals officer, having examined the application afresh, including the new information contained in the appeal, concluded that the decision to refuse the visa was reasonable.