Vol. 403 No. 6
36 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken in the case of a person (details supplied) who is imprisoned in Iraq following that country's invasion of Kuwait; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Irish citizen referred to in the Deputy's question was arrested by the Iraqi authorities on 1 September while attempting to cross the border into Syria. He was subsequently charged with a breach of Article 24 of the Foreigners Residence Law which requires that foreigners under work contracts in Iraq must have an exit visa in order to leave the country. He has admitted to the Iraqi authorities that he tried to leave Iraq without first securing an exit visa. Following his arrest, he was moved to detention in a Baghdad hotel where the ambassador visited him on 2 September.
Since that date, the embassy has been active to ensure that his consular rights are fully respected and safeguarded, and that the due process of law be expedited. The embassy has visited him on a number of occasions and has maintained regular contacts with the citizen, his lawyer and with representatives of his company. The ambassador has also raised his case on several occasions in the Foreign Ministry. At the same time, my Department have kept his family in Ireland fully informed of all developments.
