Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who is being detained abroad; if his Department has engaged with authorities in the country in which the Irish citizen is detained in relation to this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/23]
View answerI remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department.
To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign Minister of Iran.
In our engagement we are stressing the urgent importance of the citizen being released from prison on humanitarian grounds, in light of his deteriorating medical condition.
My Department is providing ongoing consular support and assistance to the citizen, and to his family - with whom I have been in direct contact. We are liaising with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.
As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the specific details of the case.
