Vol. 571 No. 1
412 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the US Government and the UN regarding the plight of persons (details supplied) and the blatant abuse of their families; and if he will report to Dáil Éireann on this case. [19645/03]
413 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the families of persons (details supplied) can be assisted and their human rights protected. [19669/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together.
As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's parliamentary question of 1 July 2003, the Government has no standing in the bilateral consular matter between the Cuban and US authorities concerning the cases of five Cuban citizens imprisoned in the United States. There is, therefore, no basis for an intervention on my part.
As regards the question of US visas for Cuban citizens, the position is that all states have an exclusive and unqualified right to decide on entry to their territory by non-nationals. It is not customary for governments to intervene in such matters.
