asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he will intervene directly to help in securing the release of Brian Keenan who has been in captivity for such a lengthy period in Lebanon.
Written Answers. - Irish Hostage in Lebanon.
59.
Brian Keenan, a native of Belfast, has been missing in Beirut since 11 April 1986. 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 in the period since his abduction my Department has been in constant contact with all parties in the region that might be able to provide assistance.
As the Deputy is aware the Taoiseach raised Mr. Keenan's case with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Velayati, when he met him in New York last year. I myself have raised the matter formally with my Syrian and Iranian counterparts and sought their assistance. In this connection I have met the Iranian Foreign Minister on two occasions, most recently on 8 January. Dr. Velayati has assured me that Iran is making inquiries on our behalf. I can assure the Deputy that this matter will continue to receive my close personal attention.