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Gnáthamharc

Visa Applications.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2010

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Ceisteanna (378, 379)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

501 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the Irish embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria does not deal with visa applications from applicants from Macedonia who must travel to the embassy in Georgia instead. [12543/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

502 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a review has taken place of Irish Embassies to ensure that they cater for the countries nearest them for the purposes of visa applications which do not have an Irish Embassy; and if there is any relaxing of the rule that the applicants must present themselves at an embassy when applying and when collecting their visa, in the case where the applicants have to travel long distances at great cost to themselves. [12544/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.

Accreditation of Irish Diplomatic Missions is decided on a number of criteria which include, inter alia, the provision of consular services. The Department regularly reviews its Diplomatic network of Embassies and Consulates abroad in this context. In addition, the Embassy of Ireland, Sofia, does not routinely deal with visa applications from Macedonia because Macedonia is accredited to the Embassy of Ireland, Bratislava.

In 2008, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform introduced an on line visa application facility for all Irish visa applications.

Rollout of the online facility was completed in July, 2009. It is available worldwide through the website www.inis.gov.ie and provides detailed information on the application process including the documents required to support the application.

The on line facility indicates the appropriate Irish Embassy, Consulate or Visa office in the applicant's country of residence or the Irish Mission to which their country is accredited to enable them to submit their application form and supporting documentation. In some cases where Ireland is neither resident nor has accreditation applicants are asked to submit their applications directly to INIS headquarters at Burgh Quay in Dublin.

In countries where there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate a visa application may be submitted through the Honorary Consul network. Applicants may need to make an appointment with the Honorary Consul to ensure that the application and supporting documentation are in order before the application is transmitted to the appropriate Irish Embassy or Consulate. When the visa decision is made the Honorary Consul may also contact the applicant about collection to ensure that they receive their visa in good time as postal deliveries can be problematic in some regions.

From time to time the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform may require individuals to attend for interview in order to clarify elements of their application. Applicants would be contacted by the relevant Irish Embassy, Consulate or Visa office in this regard.

In the case of applicants from Macedonia, applications are made on line and submitted to the Embassy of Ireland Bratislava in Slovakia. If the visa is approved it is usually couriered back to the applicant in Macedonia. However arrangements can be made in advance with the Irish Embassy in Bratislava to have it collected from the Irish Embassy in Sofia.

Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Georgia

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