Tony Gregory
Question:117 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the concerns raised with him by the families of the three Irish prisoners in Columbia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22603/01]
Written Answers. - Diplomatic Representation.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:137 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the talks he has had with Columbian and other authorities on the status of Irish citizens held in Columbia; if he has satisfied himself as to their safety and that their cases will be adjudicated in accordance with international law; if the conditions of their detention meet with international covenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23741/01]
Nora Owen
Question:140 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding the arrest and detention in Columbia of three Irish men; the services which have been offered to these people by the Irish consul; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23760/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 137 and 140 together.
Since the arrest of the three men, my Department has been active in providing consular assistance to them with a view to ensuring that they are held in safe and secure accommodation, that they have reasonable living conditions and that they have adequate access to their legal representatives. Consular officials from our Embassy in Mexico have visited the men on a number of occasions and have raised these concerns with the Colombian authorities. Together with the recently appointed honorary consul in Colombia, the embassy has also provided assistance to representatives of the men's families who visited them in Bogota recently.
In addition, I have written to the Colombian foreign minister to express our concerns and to ask him to request the competent authorities to expedite the case to the greatest degree possible.
The three men will be tried under Colombian law and I understand that they have appointed legal representatives in Bogota who will advise them on how best to prepare and conduct their defence.
My Department will continue to monitor this case very closely, including the questions raised in Deputy Quinn's question, and to provide all possible consular assistance to the three men.