Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Embassy of Ireland in Madrid and the consular assistance section of my Department provided consular assistance at the time of this individual’s disappearance, and have continued to maintain contact with family members and to provide assistance in the years that have followed. Our embassy in Madrid remains in ongoing contact with the local police authorities regarding the case. Successive Irish ambassadors in Madrid have had detailed meetings with the Spanish authorities and the Guardia Civil. In addition, the consular division of my Department, as well as senior Government figures and taoisigh, have met on many occasions with members of the named person’s family. Most recently consular officials from my Department met with family members in November and remain in ongoing contact with them and with other family members. My officials will continue to meet with them as circumstances require.

We are informed by the Spanish authorities that the police investigation remains open. The police continue to follow up possible leads and to cross-check new cases for any potential links with the named person’s disappearance. I am aware that a family liaison officer has been appointed by the Garda to work with family members in Ireland, to receive information from them as necessary and to keep them briefed on any developments in the case.

The investigating police force in Spain has advised our embassy that any new information coming from Ireland in relation to the case should be sent via the Garda through appropriate police channels rather than through my Department or the embassy. My Department and our embassy in Madrid will continue to monitor developments in this case and will, of course, remain on hand to provide any consular support required.

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