Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
55 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is usually the case that the diplomatic bag is used by Government to send party political election literature to civil servants on missions overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18786/04]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to a priority question on this subject. It is the Department's practice to allow officers serving abroad and members of their families residing with them use of the diplomatic bag facility to send and receive private correspondence. At election time, it has also been the practice to automatically forward to officers serving abroad and their spouses any personally-addressed election literature received in the Department. It is important when exercising their fundamental and democratic right to vote that citizens do so on an informed basis. I take the view that it is appropriate in the circumstances of service abroad, where the transmission of election material can help to inform the constituent, to use the diplomatic bag for this purpose.
At the end of May, the Fianna Fáil Party asked if the Department would forward to each of the Department's registered postal voters election literature in the form of a single, generically-addressed letter from the party leader and that request was acceded to. The Department would have equally agreed to a similar approach from other parties. In the light of subsequent expressions of concern about the issue, I announced on 6 June that a review of procedures would be conducted. I also indicated that the outcome of the review would be conveyed to the political parties and made publicly known, so that all candidates for election and other interested parties would be fully aware of it. It is accepted that the arrangements now need to be put on a more structured basis. The review is under way and I expect to be able to inform interested parties of new procedures at a reasonably early date. In this regard, the Deputy can be assured that the new arrangements will ensure that the process is fully transparent, and known to all interested parties at election time.
58 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had contact with the authorities in Saudi Arabia with regard to the murder of an Irish national in Riyadh in June 2004; the number of Irish nationals currently in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18790/04]
View answerAn Irish national was tragically killed in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Our embassy in Riyadh extended all possible consular assistance to the family of this individual and has had numerous contacts with the Saudi Arabian authorities in relation to the case. We have emphasised to them the importance of protecting the lives of expatriates in Saudi Arabia and have called for the killers of this person to be brought to justice. I understand that a memorial service was held in London on Tuesday at which the Irish embassy in London was represented. I am sure I speak for all members of the Dáil in extending our deepest sympathy to the family. The number of Irish citizens in Saudi Arabia at the moment is currently estimated at around 1,300 to 1,400.
