asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the decision which prevented a person (details supplied) from remaining in this country for study purposes; whether any explanation was made to her; and whether any consideration has been given to a review of the required procedure for the issue of visas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expulsion of Alien.
55.
The woman in question had not sought or obtained an Irish visa and she was refused leave to land on arrival.
This is related to the known problems that can arise with au pair or similar arrangements coupled with the fact that, in the case of certain countries, there are currency restrictions which would make it difficult or impossible for persons stranded here to secure financial support from their home country. Moreover, in these cases repatriation, if it becomes necessary, would present special difficulties.
I regret that the young woman concerned was apparently misled by the sponsors of her projected visit. These sponsors, it should be made clear, are acting in their own commercial interests and it is obvious that they were well aware of the policy as can be seen from the fact that they advised her to travel through London rather than to come here direct, and also advised her as to what to say—or rather, what not to say.
Has the Minister anything in his brief suggesting that officials of the Department of Justice told this young lady that she came from a foreign country, evidently with greater emphasis on the "foreign" than in relation to other countries, and can the Minister suggest any review of this procedure in relation to many of those countries with which we have trading agreements to ensure that such incidents are minimised in future?
It is a statement of fact that this young lady came from a foreign country. As to the degree of emphasis placed on the word "foreign", I cannot comment and I doubt if Deputy O'Leary can either. Neither of us was present on the occasion. At least, I was not. I presume Deputy O'Leary was not. The Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated earlier today to the Deputy that certain negotiations are taking place at the moment which may result in the reciprocal abolition of visa requirements between Ireland and Yugoslavia and, as all such requirements are dealt with on a reciprocal basis, this is the possible outcome of the negotiations, but I cannot foretell what the outcome will be.
The newspaper accounts appeared to give the impression that this young woman was treated with what would appear to amount to discourtesy on the part of the officials of the Department of Justice.
The accounts available to the Minister for Justice certainly do not bear out that contention.