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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Questions (63, 64)

Finian McGrath

Question:

74 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on a case (details supplied). [33089/12]

View answer

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

76 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ontact the Greek authorities in relation to the request for an urgent appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) where documents proving the absence of one of the men from Crete at the time of the offences are continually being ignored; and if he will do his utmost to ensure the appeal is conducted in a manner that is within EU law. [33169/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 76 together.

I am aware of the situation concerning the two men referred to by the Deputies. As neither of them is an Irish citizen it is not possible for my Department to offer them consular assistance. The Greek authorities are under no legal obligation to assist our Embassy with any requests made in connection with this case, as we have no locus standi in the matter. However, on hearing of their detention, and notwithstanding the fact that neither is a citizen of Ireland, the Irish Embassy in Athens made contact with the Greek police in an effort to convey the Irish Government’s interest in this case on the basis that he is married to an Irish citizen. It was made clear to our Embassy that the authorities in Crete would not provide them with any information regarding this case as no Irish citizen was involved.

To clarify further, the Embassy has certain rights of communication and contact with Irish citizens in Greece to facilitate the exercise of our consular functions under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963). This Embassy has no such rights for other persons, even if they are related to Irish citizens.

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