When completing an on-line visa application the applicant is assigned a unique visa transaction number. This detail must be provided where a query on the status of a visa application arises. If the Deputy can provide the relevant detail I will ensure that officials in the Visa Office will make further enquiries and respond to the Deputy directly.
In general terms visa applicants are advised to apply at least eight weeks in advance of the proposed date of travel. Only at the time of consideration of a visa application will it become apparent as to whether all the required documentation has been provided. Information regarding the visa application process, including details of the required supporting documentation is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie). The onus rests with the applicant to provide the required documentation as identified. It should be borne in mind, however, that the provision of all the documents listed on the website does not guarantee that a visa will be granted. It is the case that each application is considered on its individual merits, and that the onus rests with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why the visa sought should be granted.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may also be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.