I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 55 and 59 together.
The person referred to by the Deputy was arrested and detained by the United ArabEmirates authorities on 28 February 2012.
Consular assistance has been provided by my Department, through our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consular Assistance Section in Dublin. Our Embassy is in direct contact with the Irish citizen and a Consular Officer visited her in prison on 3 March 2012 and again on 12 March 2012. I am pleased to let the Deputy know the Embassy is also assisting with arrangements for a pastoral visit to the Irish citizen by a Bishop from her church. Our Consular Assistance Section is in direct contact with the Irish citizen's daughter in Ireland and met with her on 6 March 2012.
I am informed that Embassy has made a formal request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates seeking information on the reason for her arrest and detention. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, there are limits to what the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its consular and diplomatic missions can do in circumstances where an Irish citizen has been arrested and detained abroad. However, our Embassy and the Consular Assistance Section remain available to offer consular assistance and has provided the family with a list of English speaking lawyers.