Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Immigration Controls.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

96 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria, if any, used in assessing an application by a non EU national for an entry visa; if possession of a work permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has a bearing on the outcome of the application; if the religion of the applicant is taken into consideration; and his views on the applicants who have specific skills to enhance or extend restaurants in this country. [20968/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The criteria used to assess an entry visa would depend on the purpose for which the visa is sought. A work permit is required where a person who is not a national of a European economic area state, or a dependant of such a national, seeks to come to the State to engage in employment. The issue of a work permit is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who would be in a position to determine the skills requirement in the catering trade. Clearly, possession of a work permit has an important bearing on the outcome of a visa application, although possession of a work permit in itself does not guarantee the issue of a visa. The religion of an applicant has no direct bearing on the issue of a visa.