Written Answers Nos. 654-673
654. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of Ireland in relation to the ongoing imprisonment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi is accredited to Bangladesh and has followed developments in this case, in consultation with the EU Delegation in Dhaka.
According to latest information, Mrs. Zia, who has legal representation, had been released from prison for home detention and is currently receiving medical attention in a hospital in Dhaka.
We will continue to follow developments in relation to this matter through our Embassy. I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to Mrs. Zia for a full and speedy recovery.
655. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [1553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out nine live studies, reviews and research which are currently being undertaken or commissioned by my Department.
|
Name of Report, Study, Review |
Expected date of completion |
|
Design study on a new approach to reaching the Furthest Behind First in Central Vietnam |
31 January 2022 |
|
Review/Evaluation of the Saolta Programme in the Adult and Community Education Sector |
28 February 2022 |
|
Gender Review of the Palestine Programme |
28 February 2022 |
|
Review of the performance and effectiveness of the management arrangements for Ireland’s Programme in Zimbabwe |
Q1 2022 (March) |
|
International Climate Finance Roadmap |
31 March 2022 |
|
Foreign Affairs Skills Register |
Q2 2022 |
|
Conference on the Future of Europe (Partnership with European Movement Ireland) –Live Study |
Q2 2022 |
|
Review of the Embassy of Ireland Uganda’s Programme in Karamoja 2016-2020 |
Q2 2022 (June) |
|
Review of Ireland’s Tanzania and the Great Lakes sub-region Strategy 2017-2021 |
Q2 2022 (June) |
656. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent on social media by his Department and agencies under his remit in 2021; and the platforms the monies were spent on in tabular form. [1700/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department engages in public awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. Some examples of these campaigns have included the “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” campaign, public information on travel restrictions due to COVID-19, and supporting Government initiatives including St Patrick’s Day, Africa Day and Bloomsday.
My Department and its Embassy network has also engaged in promotion on social media of certain other initiatives and projects that relate to Ireland’s foreign policy activities.
Expenditures are outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
Platforms |
Total spend |
|
2021 |
YouTube, Facebook, Twitter social media campaigns |
€ 139,000.79 |
|
2021 |
Twitter, Facebook social media campaigns |
€ 16,460.67 |
|
2021 |
Twitter only social media campaigns |
€ 2,919.77 |
|
2021 |
Facebook only social media campaigns |
€ 447.29 |
|
|
|
€ 158,828.52 |
657. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent on consultancy services by his Department in 2021; the reason for each consultancy; and the name of the consultancy in tabular form. [1718/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department commissions external contractors, consultancy services and outsourcing services where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is necessary.
External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money.
Such external expertise may involve the provision of specialised reports, expert analysis or expert technical services to the Department.
A small number of consultancies are engaged directly by our Missions abroad from time to time and in some instances they prepare technical reports relating to Ireland’s overseas development aid programme.
My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant procurement guidelines. Procurement takes place in compliance with Directive 2014/24/EU and supported by Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).
My Department participates fully in on-going initiatives of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) focusing especially on achieving procurement savings, including the use of shared framework agreements for the provision of different categories of supplies and services.
The table below details the amount spent on consultancy services by my Department in 2021.
|
Name |
Reason |
Costs € |
|
Nutrition Works |
Nutrition Tech Support Consultancy |
16,044.00 |
|
Anne Nolan |
Specialist Support Global Health, HIV AIDS |
72,793.75 |
|
Public Good Ltd |
Consultancy Services to DFA on IFAD and Food Systems |
89,298.00 |
|
Graham Shaw |
Specialist Support Global Health HIV/AIDS |
16,066.88 |
|
Social Development Direct |
Consultancy for safeguarding policy engagement |
26,027.95 |
|
Morina O’Neill |
Support for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Engagement and Development Education under Programme Grant II |
37,500 |
|
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd. |
Support for the Monitoring of PGII and HPP partners |
44,128 |
|
Claire Dijoux |
Support for the Monitoring of PGII and HPP partners |
23,991 |
|
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd |
Review of the Civil Society Fund |
28,430 |
|
Change by Degrees |
To support the development of Ireland’s international Climate Finance Roadmap, a commitment made in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. |
23,650.44 |
|
Arab World for Research and Development |
Gender Review of the Palestine Programme |
7,500 |
|
William Langslet |
Review of the Embassy’s support to mine action and unexploded ordnance across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar over the previous Mission strategy (2017-2020) |
7,500 |
|
Gill Roe |
Review of the IDEAS programme over the previous Mission Strategy (2017-2020) |
8,674 |
|
Pham Thai Hung |
Review of the EMPRO portfolio in support of ethnic minorities up to 2020 |
1,315 |
|
Hung Pham |
Design study on a new approach to reaching the Furthest Behind First in Central Vietnam |
2,350 |
|
IOD PARC - Vietnam |
Review of Ireland’s Mission strategy for Vietnam and the Mekong sub region. |
37,379 |
|
Boris Gandon |
Consultancy Support for Special Envoy to Francophone Africa and Sahel |
4,560 |
|
IOD Parc |
Formative Evaluation of Irish Aid Programme Grant II (2017 – 2021) and Humanitarian Programme Plan (2019 – 2021) Review of Ireland’s Tanzania and the Great Lakes sub-region Strategy 2017-2021 The Provision of Services in Relation to: Review of The Embassy of Ireland, Uganda’s Programme in Karamoja 2016-2020 |
129,248 |
|
Dillon Development Associates Ltd |
Advisory role to the evaluation of the Programme Grant II/Humanitarian Preparedness Programme Funding Schemes |
4,182 |
|
Tony Tyrell |
Advisory role to the Review of Ireland’s Mission strategy for Vietnam and the Mekong sub region |
4,750 |
|
Bernard McLoughlin |
Review the Performance and Effectiveness of Management Arrangements in place for the Zimbabwe Programme |
23,616 |
|
Lisney |
Advisory role to the Spending Review of the Management of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Leased Property Portfolio |
5,658 |
|
Irish Centre for Diversity |
To carry out a benchmarking exercise under the Irish Centre for Diversity’s Bronze and Silver Investors in Diversity programme. |
17, 576.70 |
|
Zero-G |
Creative Services in relation to A Global Reputation and Communications Strategy for Ireland and Related Ancillary Communications Strategies & Activities |
15,498.00 |
|
GARTNER IRELAND LIMITED |
ICT Research and Advisory Services to support the ongoing ICT Strategy and associated activities of the ICT Unit. |
72,570 (covers September 2021 to August 2022) |
658. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be issued for a person (details supplied) given that it was applied for weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent and has provided an update on the status of the passport application.
659. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on contacts he or his officials have had with the Government of Kazakhstan or civil society organisations in that country in recent weeks; if he will join in condemnation of the shooting dead of peaceful protesters in the country and support the demands for democratic and economic rights in the country; if he has raised the issue at an European Union or United Nations level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1733/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply concerned by recent developments in Kazakhstan. 164 people were reported to have been killed in violent clashes, and over 12,000 people arrested. It appears that initially peaceful protests at the beginning of the year rapidly escalated into violent clashes between apparently well-organised groups and the authorities. I welcome that calm has now been largely restored.
However, I am particularly concerned at reports that orders to open fire with lethal force were issued. The UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights has called for an independent, impartial, effective and public investigation to determine the legality of the use of force and to ensure accountability when lethal force was used by security services, law enforcement or the military. Ireland supports this call. Any domestic investigation must consider Kazakhstan's international human rights obligations.
Ireland will use our platforms at the EU and the UN to emphasise the importance of protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Kazakhstan’s people. If people wish to assemble peacefully and express their wish for democratic or economic reforms, that is their right and it must be protected.
I have not been in direct contact with the Government of Kazakhstan or civil society organisations in that country in recent weeks, but my officials and I will use any bilateral opportunities that arise to raise Ireland’s concerns.
The Embassy of Ireland in Moscow remains in contact with a number of Irish citizens resident in Kazakhstan. The Embassy is available to provide consular assistance to any Irish citizens who may require it.
661. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of all client and or customer facing and or orientated services that his Department provide via a contracted service provider; the contractor that provides the service; and the cost of same for the past five years to date in 2022. [1800/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out details of all client and/or customer facing and/or orientated services that were provided by my Department via a contracted service in each of the years 2017 to date in 2022.
|
Year |
Name |
Costs |
|
2017 |
SUAS Educational Development contract for the provision of Public Awareness Workshops for Irish Aid |
€90,741 |
|
|
ICOS (Irish Council for Overseas Students) - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Ireland |
€233,735 |
|
|
Accent Solutions: HQ Telephonist Services |
€131,021.23 |
|
|
Ireland Reaching Out – Diaspora Engagement Services |
€50,000 |
|
|
Fitzsimmons Consulting: Back for Business Mentoring Programme |
€119,900 |
|
2018 |
SUAS Educational Development contract for the provision of Public Awareness Workshops for Irish Aid |
€148,749 |
|
|
ICOS (Irish Council for Overseas Students) - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Ireland |
€252,158 |
|
|
Accent Solutions: HQ Telephonist Services |
€123,015.48 |
|
|
Ireland Reaching Out – Diaspora Engagement Services |
€97,190 |
|
2019 |
SUAS Educational Development contract for the provision of Public Awareness Workshops for Irish Aid |
€136,385 |
|
|
ICOS (Irish Council for Overseas Students) - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Ireland |
€263,805 |
|
|
AMIDEAST - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Palestine. |
€60,101 |
|
|
Ireland Reaching Out – Diaspora Engagement Services |
€230,625 |
|
|
Accent Solutions: HQ Telephonist Services |
€123,015.48 |
|
2020 |
SUAS Educational Development contract for the provision of Public Awareness Workshops for Irish Aid |
€92,388 |
|
|
ICOS (Irish Council for Overseas Students) - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Ireland |
€241,261 |
|
|
AMIDEAST - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Palestine. |
€60,101 |
|
|
Ireland Reaching Out – Diaspora Engagement Services |
€305,000 |
|
|
Fitzsimmons Consulting: Back for Business Mentoring Programme |
€150,860 |
|
|
TBWA – ToBeIrish.ie website |
€103,938 |
|
|
Context – Translation Services (English – Irish) for ToBeIrish.ie |
€408.69 |
|
|
Kick Communications – videography and voice over services for ToBeIrish.ie |
€19,245.05 |
|
|
Twitter – To Be Irish for Christmas promotion |
€399.28 |
|
|
Accent Solutions: HQ Telephonist Services |
€112,264.12 |
|
2021 |
SUAS Educational Development contract for the provision of Public Awareness Workshops for Irish Aid |
€146,008 |
|
|
ICOS (Irish Council for Overseas Students) - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Ireland |
€511,555 |
|
|
AMIDEAST - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Palestine. |
€60,101 |
|
|
Ireland Reaching Out – Diaspora Engagement Services |
€190,938 |
|
|
Fitzsimmons Consulting: Back for Business Mentoring Programme |
€149,633 |
|
|
TBWA – ToBeIrish.ie website development etc, |
€72,145.96 |
|
|
Boxroom – ToBeIrish.ie |
€162,040 |
|
|
Zinc Design Consultants -ToBeIrish.ie website hosting |
€738 |
|
|
Kick Communications – videography services for ToBeIrish.ie |
€1,799.02
|
|
|
Accent Solutions: HQ Telephonist Services |
€112,264.12 |
|
|
Dynamic Employment Services; trading as Nathan & Nathan HR |
€305,383.66 |
|
2022 (to date) |
SUAS Educational Development contract for the provision of Public Awareness Workshops for Irish Aid |
NIL |
|
|
ICOS (Irish Council for Overseas Students) - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Ireland |
NIL |
|
|
AMIDEAST - Provision of Management Services for the Ireland Fellows Programme in Palestine. |
NIL |
|
|
KICK- ToBeIrish.ie video editing |
€11,974.05 |
|
|
Context – Translation Services (English – Irish) for ToBeIrish.ie |
€139.73 |
|
|
Dynamic Employment Services; trading as Nathan & Nathan HR |
€91,289.40 |
|
|
Accent Solutions: HQ Telephonist Services |
NIL |
662. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to open a new consulate general office in Phuket, Thailand. [1888/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland and Thailand enjoy strong bilateral relations. While the COVID19 pandemic has seen a decrease in travel, Thailand remains a popular destination for Irish citizens. Ireland opened an Embassy in Thailand in 2014. The Embassy, located in Bangkok, is responsible for all consular issues affecting the Irish community likely to arise in Thailand. There are no plans to open a Consulate General office in Phuket.
In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, which aims to double the impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. To date 14 new missions have been opened, with a further five planned. In considering any further expansion of the Diplomatic network a range of factors will be taken into account including our national, political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Government is conscious of the factors that might warrant the opening of new Missions in a number of countries and will keep the matter under active review.
663. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when applications will resume for the Working Holiday Authorisation agreement with Australia in addition to other states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) programme has played an important role in building Ireland’s bilateral relations with Australia and other countries with which we have reciprocal programmes. Each year, many thousands of young Irish people visited Australia under this programme which allowed them to work there in order to finance their holiday. Similarly, we actively encouraged young Australians to visit Ireland under this programme so that a new generation of Australians could become familiar with modern Ireland.
Unfortunately, we had to suspend the operation of this programme in March 2020 due to the pandemic travel restrictions. At the same time, we made every effort to assist our citizens who were in Australia under this programme. Australians in Ireland under this programme benefitted from pandemic assistance and other support.
We made clear that we would resume these programmes as soon as circumstances permitted, in line with the processing of other visas and the reciprocal nature of the programme. In regard to Australia, a general travel restriction was introduced which meant that holders of WHA visas could not enter Australia unless they received a special exemption e.g. on humanitarian grounds.
This restriction has recently been lifted and I am glad to announce that our Embassy in Canberra is preparing to recommence processing of visa applications as soon as practicable with an expectation of resumption in early February, subject to any further developments in regard to pandemic travel restrictions.
664. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department can confirm the travel status advice to Hong Kong on 19 December 2021 in view of the position of a person (details supplied) as per a request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can reassure the Deputy that the Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and is in direct contact with the family of the citizen concerned, through our Consular Directorate in Dublin. Our Consulate General in Hong Kong stands ready to provide advice and assistance to the citizen if requested.
My Department’s Travel Advice for Hong Kong is kept under regular review. On 19 December 2021, Hong Kong held a Security Status rating of ‘High Degree of Caution’. This rating was put in place on 30 July 2021 and has remained in effect to this date.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that my Department is engaging on the matter.
667. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he can undertake to raise awareness through the European Union of the plight of a person (details supplied) who has been beaten while being illegally detained in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Belarusian regime’s persecution of political activists and peaceful protestors is an affront to democracy and to the rule of law. I am aware of the specific case the Deputy is referring to.
Ireland has repeated called on the Belarusian regime to release all political prisoners and engage in dialogue with the opposition. Ireland has taken a number of actions at EU level and elsewhere to persuade the Belarusian regime to change its behaviour.
Minister Byrne and I have repeatedly raised the plight of Belarusian civil society at the Human Rights Council, at the UN Security Council, and at a variety of other EU and multilateral meetings. We have called for the implementation of a report by the OSCE’s expert investigator, Professor Wolfgang Benedek. We have supported a mandate extension for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate human rights violations in Belarus.
Ireland has been a strong supporter of EU restrictive measures against Lukashenko’s regime, associated individuals and commercial entities and co-sponsored the most recent packages of sanctions on Belarus.
We also continue to engage with the Belarusian opposition Coordination Council, and to demonstrate to the Belarusian people that their voices have been heard. I know many members of this House met with Ms Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya during her visit to Ireland last year when she also met with myself and the Taoiseach.
Ireland will continue to take a strong stance on the issue of Belarus and push for the restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, especially those suffering as a result of the regime’s actions .
669. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made during the past month to clear the backlog of applications for passports, particularly those relating to foreign births; the average time a foreign birth application for a passport is taking to be processed at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassport Service operations have been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as were many Government services. The Passport Service maintained operations throughout the pandemic, notwithstanding the fact that the processing of passports requires physical attendance on site to deliver this service.
Despite the disruptions related to the pandemic throughout last year, the Passport Service issued over 634,000 passports in 2021 and 45% of simple adult renewals issued within one business day.
The current passport processing times are:
- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals
- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals
- 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online
- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service
The aforementioned passport processing times are based on current average application turnaround times and relate to passport applications submitted to the Passport Service with required supporting documentation. When passport applicants do not provide all of the requisite documentation to the Passport Service, it takes much longer to process the application and issue a passport. There are currently 106,000 passport applications on hand with the Passport Service. Of these, over 47,000 or 45% are incomplete applications that require additional documentation from the applicant in order to complete the application and ensure that the passport can be issued. While the Passport Service makes every effort to contact applicants in such circumstances, their experience is that many applicants take weeks and sometimes months to send in the necessary documents.
The Passport Service continually examines how to improve processing times and engagement with applicants. Preparation is currently underway for several system and service improvements that will enhance the customer service experience and will improve processing times.
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time. Before this increase in application volumes and Covid-19 restrictions, applications were typically processed within 6-9 months of receipt. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of Foreign Birth Registration staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
There are currently 32,000 applications for which documentation has been received, and which are awaiting processing. Foreign Birth Registration staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. In 2021, over 7,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications were processed. Applicants who require an emergency service may contact the Passport Service directly. My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.
My Department has been actively working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit additional permanent and temporary staff for assignment to the Passport Service. This recruitment drive has been underway since the last quarter of 2021 and will double the number of staff in the Passport Service from June 2021 levels. Over 180 additional staff are being assigned to the Passport Service in January alone and further staff will be assigned in February. I am confident that the additional staff currently being assigned to the Passport Service will help to reduce turnaround times and to respond to the current and anticipated high demand for passports in 2022.
In the context of the National Development Plan, my Department is making a major investment in the future of the Passport Service. Over the next couple of years, we will replace the core technology underpinning the service, which will deliver efficiencies and a more resilient passport and Foreign Birth Registration system.
Budget 2022 also included an investment of an additional €10m in passport services in response to the increasing demand for passports both at home and abroad.
670. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2275/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant and the documents requested have been returned.
671. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a new passport will issue to a person (details supplied) considering that their previous passport was dispatched but not received and attempts to rectify the issue have failed since a previous Parliamentary Question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2276/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service regrets that the applicant’s application was returned to him in error. The Passport Service has attempted to contact the applicant by telephone and has written to the applicant to apologise for this error and to make arrangements for his application to be processed without delay.
672. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their Irish citizenship application which was submitted in April 2020. [2277/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants are being advised that they should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time.
The first application referenced was registered on 8 April 2020, with the other applications registered on 29 September 2020. All are waiting to be processed. The documentation submitted in support of these applications is being stored in a secure environment.
Foreign Birth Registration staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may contact the Passport Service directly.
My Department is fully committed to allocating additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the high volume of new applications anticipated, and the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand.
673. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of correspondence he has had with his Chinese or European counterparts with regard to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been extensive engagement on the referenced case at the most senior political and diplomatic levels. I can assure the Deputy that these efforts continue to be made through multiple channels – by myself as Minister and at senior political levels here in Dublin; as well as by our diplomats in Beijing, Shanghai and elsewhere throughout our diplomatic network.
In all cases, our engagement has stressed the urgent importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Department of Foreign Affairs has been providing ongoing consular advice, support and assistance to the citizen.
As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the specific details of the case, nor to comment publicly on any matters raised that are related to it.
