Visa Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Questions (464)

Noel Harrington

Question:

464. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 417 of 1 April 2014, if he will correct the reply to state the correct statutory instrument which is not SI 412/2012 - Sea-Fisheries (Celtic Sea Technical Measures) Regulations 2012; if he will further state the statutory instrument which sets out the regulations and criteria that the deciding officer operates under in his requests for personal details from the applicant and their host-s; if there is no statutory instrument then what regulations, rules or guidelines form the basis for further requests for information from the applicants and their hosts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16676/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I wish to advise the Deputy that the answer supplied to Parliamentary Question No. 417 of 1 April 2014 contained a typographical error in the number of the statutory instrument cited.

The statutory instrument cited was the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2012. It was incorrectly identified as S.I. No. 412 of 2012. The correct number is S.I. No. 417 of 2012. I regret any inconvenience caused to the Deputy and wish to advise that the Dáil record has been amended.

The substance of the answer supplied on 1 April 2014 is, however, unaffected. Visa applications are determined in accordance with administrative procedures and are granted at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and Equality. As previously advised, certain standard supporting documents are required for all visa applications. However, on occasion, a visa officer may require additional documentation in order to determine whether the application should be granted. Applicants are forewarned of this possibility by the declaration that they sign as part of the application process. The wording of the declaration is to the effect that the applicant understands that additional information and/or data may be required and that failure to provide this, if requested, may result in the refusal of their application.

Information in relation to the standard supporting documentation required for the various types of visas (visit visas etc.) is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service at www.inis.gov.ie.