asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will take a new initiative in relation to the Brian Keenan affair.
Written Answers. - Brian Keenan Abduction.
66.
Mr. 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. As the Deputy is aware from my replies of 9 November 1988 and 25 January 1989 I myself have raised the matter formally with my Syrian and Iranian counterparts and sought their assistance. I have met the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Velayati, on two occasions, most recently on 8 January. Dr. Velayati has assured me that Iran is making inquiries on our behalf.
As the Deputy is aware the Taoiseach raised Mr. Keenan's case with the Iranian Foreign Minister when he met him in New York last year. On 25 January I met with the family of Brian Keenan and briefed them on developments in the case and the actions taken by the Government on behalf of Mr. Keenan.
In the past week Ireland's Ambassador to Iraq, who is also accredited to Lebanon, travelled to Beirut to investigate reports of developments in relation to the hostages. In addition Ireland's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who is also accredited to Syria, held talks with the Syrian authorities. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to give this matter my close personal attention.