Visa Applications.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004

Thursday, 9 December 2004

Questions (186)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

183 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 30 September 2004, if it is the case as stated in the reply to Question No. 75 of 17 June 2004 that family reunification visas are granted to the spouses of work permit holders on the condition that the spouse does not work; if so, the reason he has adopted this policy; and his views on whether this policy is unfair and should be reversed. [32871/04]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

As stated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 177 on 6 May 2004, it is open to the spouse of a work permit holder to seek an employer who will apply for a work permit in respect of him/her. In the event of the approval of the work permit application the spouse may then be registered on work permit conditions. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, if he receives a valid application from an eligible employer, is prepared to consider such an application in accordance with the normal criteria.