National Security Committee

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022

Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Ceisteanna (341)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

341. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the Fuzhou overseas police service station which has opened on Capel Street Dublin, as part of the overseas 110 initiative by the Chinese government to open virtual police outposts around the world; if this virtual police station was registered with the Irish authorities; if any Chinese national living in Ireland has been persuaded through this office to return to China to face criminal charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52926/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Neither the Chinese authorities nor Fuzhou/Fujian Province made a request in advance to the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish the office referred to. In this context, the Department of Foreign Affairs raised the presence of a 'Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station' with the Embassy of China in Ireland in recent weeks.

The Department noted that actions of all foreign states on Irish territory must be in compliance with international law and domestic law requirements. On this basis, the Department informed the Embassy that the office on Capel Street should close and cease operations. The Chinese Embassy has now stated that the activities of the office have ceased.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to liaise with the Embassy to facilitate the provision of all relevant consular and citizen services to Chinese citizens in Ireland.