asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any new information has come to light in the last six months on the whereabouts of Brian Keenan.
45.
Written Answers. - Irish Hostage in Lebanon.
22.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any response to his request to the Iranian Ambassador for assistance in securing the release of Brian Keenan.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 45 together. Brian Keenan, a native of Belfast, has been missing in Beirut since 11 April 1986 when he failed to appear for classes at the American University. To date no group has claimed responsibility for his abduction.
The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to detail all the efforts which have been made to locate Mr. Keenan. However I can tell the House that during the past six months my Department has repeatedly been in contact with all parties in the region that might be able to provide assistance.
As already stated in the Taoiseach's reply of 21 June, the Taoiseach met the Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Velayati in New York on the 2 June and discussed the case of Brian Keenan with him. Dr. Velayati undertook to have inquiries made on our behalf.
I subsequently met Dr. Velayati on 29 September, during my visit to the United Nations and raised the matter with him. He assured me that his Government would continue their efforts to find out about Mr. Keenan. I met the Iranian Ambassador on 17 October and he confirmed to me that the Iranian authorities were following all avenues of inquiry in this case.
Our Ambassador in Baghdad who is accredited also to the Lebanon made one of his regular visits to Beirut in October where he pursued our concerns in regard to Mr. Keenan with members and officials of the Lebanese Government and leaders of various Muslim groups. In addition the Ambassador discussed Mr. Keenan's case with his colleagues among the Twelve who are also directly concerned with various hostage cases.
Unfortunately, notwithstanding these inquiries, we have received no new information on Mr. Keenan's welfare or whereabouts. However, I can assure the Deputy that this matter will continue to receive my personal attention until Mr. Keenan is freed.