Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020
136. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to secure the release of a person (details supplied) currently being prevented from leaving China by the authorities there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44346/20]
View answer138. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress by his Department in securing the return of a person (details supplied) detained in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43750/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 138 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is providing ongoing consular assistance to this citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai. Our Consul General has been meeting and engaging regularly with the citizen since we were first informed of this complex case last year, and continues to provide all possible consular advice and support.
The case has been raised regularly at senior political and diplomatic level with the relevant authorities in China, and with the Embassy of China to Ireland. These engagements have highlighted the humanitarian aspects of the case, and the importance of the citizen being permitted to leave China and return home as soon as possible.
The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to discuss the details of any individual consular case, nor to comment on matters pertaining to a legal process in another jurisdiction. However, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen until he is permitted to return to Ireland.
