Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2010
15 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on a recent incident involving two Irish citizens on the Road to Hope’s ship which was en route to Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43316/10]
View answerAs the incident to which the Deputy refers is now the subject of legal proceedings in another jurisdiction, I will not comment on any elements which are sub judice, but will limit my reply to the response of my Department in providing consular assistance to the Irish citizens concerned. My Department has been in contact with the London-based organisers of the Road to Hope convoy since early November, on the basis that eight Irish citizens were participating in the initiative, which also had mainly UK and some other country nationals on board. The Consular Assistance Section has co-operated closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, and kept our relevant Embassies updated on the nature, composition and proposed route of the convoy.
I am informed that the convoy experienced delays and difficulties along their intended route when they were unable to cross the closed land border between Libya and Egypt and, as a result, has been held up at the port of Derna in Libya since late last month. The Consular Assistance Section has been assured by the convoy organisers and by the British Foreign Office that there is no consular concern associated with the convoy group at Derna.
I am also informed that the organisers had made attempts to engage a private company to charter a vessel to enable the convoy to reach its intended destination and that these negotiations, apparently, broke down. The Department's Duty Officer received notification overnight on 10-11 November of an alleged incident at the port of Derna, which led to a number of those in the convoy, including two Irish citizens, departing on the vessel with destination unknown.
Our Consular Assistance Section immediately made contacts with colleagues in the British Consular Service and with the convoy organisers in London in order to establish the facts of the situation. Having been informed that the vessel's likely destination was Greece, our Embassy in Athens contacted the relevant Greek authorities to confirm our interest in the wellbeing of the Irish citizens on board. Similarly, our Embassy in Rome, accredited to Libya, made contact with the Libyan authorities on behalf of the Irish citizens involved and those remaining in Libya. When the vessel arrived in Greek waters, our Embassy in Athens sought consular access to our citizens at the earliest possible opportunity and made representations that they be treated in accordance with international obligations. The Embassy kept in close contact with all the relevant Greek authorities over the course of the incident: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Port Authorities, Coast Guard, Ministry for Shipping, and Ministry for Citizens' Protection.
Our Embassy was present at the port over the weekend while the vessel was processed. Consular access was allowed once Greek security and immigration procedures had been fulfilled. Our Embassy made several requests regarding food and water, access to legal advice and representation, and access to an interpreter on behalf of our citizens and also provided food, water, and essentials to them.
Our Embassy also attended a hearing involving our two citizens on 14 November. This was a preliminary hearing by the Prosecutor in the case and I understand that they were charged with damage to the ship. They were advised by the Prosecutor that, after a preliminary review of the case, that they were being released on unconditional bail with the only stipulation that they appoint legal representation in Greece to deal with the case, as the enquiry would continue in their absence, and that they were free to leave Greece whenever they wish.
Our Embassy has provided emergency travel documents to both citizens to enable them to return home, if they so wish and has remained in contact with them since their release to provide assistance and local advice.
I can assure the Deputy that throughout the duration of the incident, all possible consular assistance has been provided to the two citizens involved, and I am satisfied that, through my Department's interventions with the relevant authorities in several countries, the wellbeing of our citizens was assured in difficult circumstances.
