Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
131 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government or its representatives have expressed concern at the unwarranted attention being given to at least one of the lawyers representing the three Irish prisoners (details supplied) in Colombia, by Colombian security services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18324/04]
View answerFrom the outset of this case, my Department has provided all possible consular assistance to these three Irish citizens in Colombia and their families. Assistance of this kind, in accordance with the provisions of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, can only be provided by a State to its own citizens and my Department cannot therefore provide consular assistance to non-Irish nationals.
