Sir, – The use of online technology to ease queues at the Garda National Immigration Bureau on Dublin’s Burgh Quay will be welcomed by those forced to stand in line and hard-pressed staff at the country’s busiest public office (“Immigration service to introduce online appointment system for visas in 2015”, December 16th).
While the use of online appointments for re-entry visas may help ease the immediate issue, it will do little to address the wider ones which created the backlog. The policy of attempting to funnel 130,000 people a year through a single office is not working. At the Immigrant Council of Ireland we have been campaigning for greater use of new technology, more Garda offices and reforms similar to those which eased backlogs at the passport office. In the new year we will also continue to seek the introduction of a modern, clear and efficient immigration system.
Red tape must be replaced with easy to understand rules and guidelines, as well as an independent appeals mechanism for those who want visa decisions reviewed. The fight for immigration reform has been going on now for well over a decade; it is time for our politicians to take a leaf from US president Barack Obama’s book and show leadership on this important issue in 2015. – Yours, etc,
DENISE CHARLTON,
Chief Executive,
Immigrant Council
of Ireland,
Andrew Street, Dublin 2.