Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 4

Written Answers. - Diplomatic Representations.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

82 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, made to the US authorities regarding the case of a six year old Cuban boy, Elian Gonzales, who is being prevented from returning to Cuba to be reunited with his father; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4332/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The case of Elian Gonzalez was the subject of a number of written parliamentary questions on Wednesday, 26 January.

Replying to questions about the case on that date, my predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews, noted that on 5 January, the US immigration and naturalisation service, determined that Juan Gonzalez, the father of Elian Gonzalez, has the sole legal authority to speak for his son on immigration issues and that Elian should be reunited with his father. Before the decision was made, US officials met twice in Cuba with Juan Gonzalez and satisfied themselves that he had "a close and continuing relationship with his son" and that he was "expressing his true wishes".

On 19 January federal district court action was filed by the Miami-based relatives of Elian in respect of the decision of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. On 26 January, the administration responded to the court action filing a lengthy motion to dismiss the law suit. I understand that the judge has now scheduled a hearing for the week of 22 February.

Prior to the filing of the motion for dismissal, both Attorney General Janet Reno and INS Commissioner Doris Meissner met on 22 January in Washington with Elian's two grandmothers, together with a delegation from the US and Cuban Council of Churches, following which Ms Reno and Ms Meissner issued the following statement:

"Ms. Quintana and Ms. Rodriguez (the grandmothers) made a very compassionate and heartfelt plea to be reunited with their grandson. They asked when Elian could return to his father and the rest of his family in Cuba. We explained that this matter is now in federal court but that we will seek resolution as expeditiously as possible. We accepted a letter from Ms. Quintana and Ms. Rodriguez which reiterated the issues raised in today's meeting.

We maintain that the law recognises the unique relationship between parent and child and that family reunification has long been a cornerstone of both American immigration law and INS practice".

Attorney General Reno has clearly and publicly supported Commissioner Meissner in this matter, stating that "she fully agrees with her determination that the father has the legal right and the legal authority to speak for his child in immigration matters" adding "the father has evidenced a real relationship with his son".

For my part, I fully share the view of those who, like Attorney General Reno, believe this matter should be resolved as expeditiously as possible in the interests of the welfare of this young child.