Vol. 527 No. 3
329 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will issue a holiday visa to a person (details supplied) in Kazakhstan whose husband has a work permit since August 1999; and when this holiday visa will be issued. [28342/00]
The visa application in question was refused because it had not been established, on the basis of the documentation supplied, that the applicant's plans were genuinely short term in nature. It is open to the applicant to appeal against the refusal of a visa by writing to the visa appeals officer in my Department together with any further information or documentation in support of the application.
The applicant's spouse first entered the State in August 2000 on foot of a work permit. A person who requires a visa may join a spouse who is in possession of a valid work permit once the worker has become established in the State, usually after 12 months, and is likely to be here for at least a similar period, provided the working spouse is in a position to support his-her family members without recourse to public funds. That period of time has been reduced from 12 months to three in respect of certain highly sought after and specialised skill categories. The applicant's spouse does not come within one of those categories.
330 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will bring in legislation to allow a non-EEA national visit Ireland to see his children, born of an Irish or UK citizen, when the children's parents are not married; and if there is legislation in existence to cover this situation. [28343/00]
Procedures exist whereby non-EEA nationals may visit the State, subject to their satisfying certain criteria. Those nationals who are subject to a visa requirement must first obtain a visit visa prior to travelling and all persons, whether a visa is required, require leave to land from an immigration officer upon arrival. Generally speaking, persons can be granted up to 90 days permission to enter as a visitor provided they can satisfy an immigration officer that they are a genuine visitor, that they have sufficient funds to support themselves, that they intend to return home following their visit and that they do not intend to breach Irish immigration or other laws during their stay.
The situation described by the Deputy is not specifically addressed in Irish legislation but the basic criteria relating to visits by non-EEA nationals would apply. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I would be happy to look into it and advise him further on the matter.
