Consular Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Ceisteanna (306)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

306. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of the consular assistance that he and his officials have provided to the family of a person (details supplied); the representations or assurances that his consular officials have made or sought with their Indian counterparts, following the decision of the Indian courts to release the person accused of the person's murder on bail, to attend their father's funeral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58854/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department, through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, Consulate General in Mumbai and Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, has been providing assistance to the citizen’s family - notwithstanding the Indian authorities’ position that this is a UK consular case.

It is a general principle not to detail the specifics of ongoing consular work. However, I remain firmly committed to the case and I can assure you that officials in my Department continue to engage with relevant authorities.

Cooperation between this Department and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is continuing both at headquarters and in India. In June of this year, Irish and British diplomats travelled to Goa to meet with officials on the matter.

Ensuring a quick conclusion to the court case remains a significant priority for the Irish and British Governments as well as, of course, for the citizen’s family.