Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 1

Written Answers. - Death of Irish Citizen.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

66 Mr. Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an investigation into the death of a person (details supplied) in most unusual circumstances in France in the autumn of 1994; the inquiries, if any, undertaken into the circumstances of this death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4087/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

A Commission Rogatoire— a Letter of Request — for legal assistance was received through the diplomatic channel from the French judge who had been appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of an Irish citizen in France. This request was transmitted to the Department of Justice for appropriate action. The request sought the assistance of the Irish authorities for the purpose of obtaining statements from the Irish companions who had been travelling with the deceased in France.

In this connection, while my Department acts as a transmitting agency for all such Letters of Request, it is not directly involved in the investigation into the circumstances of this death. This is a matter for the French authorities, who are still carrying out their investigation which has included, in co-operation with the gárdaí, the taking of statements from the Irish companions of the deceased.

The Irish Embassy in Paris are in regular contact with the judge in charge of the investigation and my Department will keep the family informed of developments.