Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
478. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when a visa for entry to Ireland will issue in the case of the partner of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27000/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to by the Deputy was lodged at the Irish Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 9 March, 2014. The application was refused at first instance on 19 March. An appeal against this refusal was received on 27 March. The original decision to refuse the application was upheld by the visa appeals officer on 30 March. It is open to the person concerned to make a fresh application at any time in the future. However, it is advised that they ensure that they are in a position to address the issues of concern raised by the visa officer before doing so.
Since the persons concerned were notified on 30 March of the outcome of their appeal, they have been in contact on several occasions with officials of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and have been provided with information on the options available to them. Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
