Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
676. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the applications officer to deem the documents supplied with an application (details supplied) as fraudulent; the reason for the statement by the officer that information supplied with the application was false and misleading; and the basis for the opinion of the officer that the event would not take place. [31958/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that every visa application is considered on its individual merits.
In assessing any application, the Visa Officer will have regard to all of the information available to them. The onus rests at all times with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that any visa sought should be granted. Guidelines on the application process including details of the required supporting documentation can be found on the INIS website (www.inis.gov.ie).
The Visa Officer, in deciding on an application, seeks to verify the information provided by the applicant, for instance accommodation bookings, public advertisement of conferences and formal invitations. Where documentation provided by the applicant is of poor quality or not in the format required by INIS then the Visa Officer may form an opinion on the documents and the overall application.
However, in most cases applicants are afforded the opportunity to appeal a negative decision within two months of the decision date. This allows the applicant to address the reasons for the refusal and to provide clarification on any particular matter that they wish to. It also allows them to provide further information if they believe that it will assist their application.
I am further advised by INIS that no appeal was received from the applicant in this case.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, members of the public may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
