Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
191. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he has discussed the case with his Filipino counterpart recently. [42325/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to do everything it can to support and assist this citizen. However, what the Irish Government can do in the case of an Irish citizen who is involved in a criminal case overseas is limited. The Irish Government cannot intervene in a matter that is before the courts in another jurisdiction, just as no foreign government can interfere in our judicial system.
Nonetheless, both my officials and I have been working very hard on this citizen’s behalf. We have made repeated representations to the authorities in Manila stressing the humanitarian concerns in this case and requesting that the pending appeal against this man’s conviction be expedited.
The Irish Government made a direct request to the Administrator of the Supreme Court to ask that this Appeal be expedited on humanitarian grounds. In April of this year, the Administrator of the Supreme Court acknowledged the Irish Government’s concerns and interests in the matter and instructed that the papers related to the Appeal should be elevated to the Supreme Court for consideration.
In July 2017, attorneys acting on behalf of this citizen advised that all relevant papers had been filed in relation to the appeal. The matter is now with the Supreme Court for resolution.
Last month, while I was attending the UN General Assembly session in New York, I personally raised the case directly with the Philippines Foreign Minister, Mr. Alan Cayetano. I underlined the Irish Government’s concerns about this situation and asked for Foreign Minister Cayetano’s assistance, specifically in relation to our request that the Supreme Court consider the appeal urgently. Minister Cayetano agreed to follow up on the matter on his return to Manila.
The Irish Ambassador to the Philippines has also, on my instruction, raised the case again at senior official level in recent weeks with the Philippines Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
