Crosscare (Crosscare)

Lobbying Organisation Crosscare

Date published 09 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details Immigration issues for family members of returning Irish emigrants during the Covid-19 crisis

Intended results We would appreciate clarity on: 1. Can any returning Irish citizen’s family member (regardless of their ordinary place of residence) make a de facto pre-clearance application and/or visa application that will be both accepted and processed? 2. Can processing be carried out on an urgent basis where the applicant’s situation merits it?

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Mr Richard King, Project Leader, Crosscare Migrant Project

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

I am writing regarding Irish emigrants who are returning to Ireland due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and who are in difficult or vulnerable circumstances. Your colleague Ciaran Cannon TD, Minister for the Diaspora, forwarded a letter to you on my request (dated 8 May 2020). Regarding the substance of that letter as it pertains to your remit, I would like to provide some updates and detail.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Charles Flanagan Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)