An appeal against the refusal of the two visa applications in question was received in my Department in September 2004. The visa appeals officer who examined the applications took into account the information provided in the applications, the applicant's ties and general circumstances in their country of origin, their immigration history, as well as the relative attractiveness and feasibility of the applicants remaining in the State. The Department's approach in such matters is informed by past experience, including experience of abuse of the system. In this instance, the visa appeals officer formed the opinion that it would not be reasonable to conclude that the applicants would observe the conditions attached to the visa and the decision to refuse the application was upheld.