asked the Minister for External Affairs why a visa was necessary in the case of Mr. Nelson Samkange, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) African Peoples' Union representative in Britain and Ireland; why a delay occurred in granting the visa which caused Mr. Samkange to miss a Dublin meeting; and whether any explanation for the whole matter is forthcoming from the Embassy in London.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Delay in Grant of Visa.
17.
Mr. O'Leary
As Mr. Samkange had no national passport he fell to be regarded as a stateless person and therefore not exempt from the visa requirement. Embassies abroad are not authorised to grant visas to stateless persons without reference to Dublin. Mr. Samkange's visa application was made to the Embassy only one day before his intended journey and the visa was granted next day.
Mr. O'Leary
Is the Minister aware that Mr. Samkange was informed by the British authorities that no visa was necessary travelling between Britain and this country?
I have replied to the Deputy and have said that in the case of stateless persons, reference has to be made to Dublin and a visa was supplied to Mr. Samkange.
Mr. O'Leary
Is the Minister aware that this person did apply and was needlessly delayed by our Embassy in London and, in fact, missed an important meeting in Dublin?
I gather there were some difficulties in one way or another.
Mr. O'Leary
In the circumstances the Embassy could have been a little more courteous to this representative who had to attend an important meeting in Dublin.
I understand from recent information that has been obtained that Mr. Samkange's first approach was made on 8th December, that he phoned the Embassy at 11 a.m., called in person about 1 p.m. completed his visa application forms, left his travel document with the application and that the request for instructions was dispatched at 2.45 p.m. the same day. He phoned on 9th December, the next day, at 12.45 p.m. and was informed that his visa was ready. He did not call to collect the visa until approximately 3 p.m. I cannot consider that there was any excessive delay in that regard.