Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
703. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to establish a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia; if his attention has been drawn to the excessive costs currently being charged for Irish citizens to obtain a multi-entry visa to Saudi Arabia as compared to EU countries and the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1349/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the recent increase in the cost of visas to Saudi Arabia, which came into effect on 2 October 2016. Countries with existing bilateral visa agreements with Saudi Arabia, such as the United States, were excluded from the fee increase. Other countries, including other EU countries, are in the process of negotiating bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia so that their citizens benefit from lower visa costs.
Saudi Arabia is a priority market under the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. Ireland and Saudi Arabia have a strong trading relationship, and many Irish companies do business with the Kingdom, as well as with other countries in the region. It is one of my Department’s goals to advance Ireland’s prosperity by promoting Irish economic interests internationally. Facilitating travel between Ireland and key trading partner countries is one way of achieving this.
My Department is therefore currently exploring the possibility of Ireland negotiating a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia, which would include revised visa fees. This will require consultation with other Government Departments, in particular that of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD.
