State papers: Politicians' special visa channel scrapped by US embassy over abuse of system

A 'special channel' made available to members of the Oireachtas to support visa applications by members of the public was cancelled by the US embassy in 1992.

A “special channel” made available to members of the Oireachtas to support visa applications by members of the public was cancelled by the US embassy in 1992 because the system was being abused.

Newly-released State papers show US diplomats decided to cancel a system that was contingent on being kept private after a TD went public about it in the media in June 1992.