asked the Minister for External Affairs what action he proposes to take with regard to an Irish citizen, Iker Gallestegi, against whom the French Government have issued an expulsion order.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expulsion of Irish Citizen from France.
11.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that Mr. Gallestegi, who is of Spanish origin, was granted Irish citizenship in 1949. It appears that he took up residence in France near the Spanish frontier in 1960 after spending two or three years in Spain. In October, 1962, he was served with an expulsion order by the French authorities but the order was not enforced and he was directed to take up residence in another part of France.
Representations about the case were immediately made to the French authorities by the Irish Embassy in Paris. In reply the Embassy was informed that Mr. Gallestegi could not be permitted to continue to reside on the Spanish frontier but that, in deference to its representations, his place of residence was being changed again to a district likely to be more acceptable to him.
The Deputy will appreciate that the issues involved here are entirely within the jurisdiction of the French Government. If, however, it should later appear that further representations can usefully be made to the French authorities, the Embassy in Paris will be instructed accordingly.
I hope the Taoiseach will not have an Irish citizen of Basque origin made a plaything between De Gaulle and Franco?