Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá an Teachta Barry tar éis a mhíniú roinnt de na sonraí faoin cheist seo. Is ceist tromchúiseach é a bhaineann le saoránach Éireannach atá i mbaol. The details of what Mr. Ó Cochláin faces have been outlined. It is an extremely grave situation and would certainly have already been a grave situation at the turn of the year because of the condition of Filipino prisons and concerns about due process there. It has become, however, far more serious since the election of President Duterte, who has sanctioned and stood over a campaign of extra-judicial murder of people involved in the drug trade or people alleged to be involved in it, such as Mr. Ó Cochláin, and the President’s political opponents. His family and he are very concerned. He is in hiding, his passport confiscated. What support is being given to Mr. Ó Cochláin and his family by the consular service? I understand he is to meet the Singapore consul next week. The family has told me it is not satisfied with the service it has received.

Has the Government’s policy and attitude in this case, and to any Irish citizens facing such charges in that part of the world, changed due to the attitude of the current government? Will the Minister outline whether the Government has succeeded in obtaining a meeting with the Government of the Philippines? I understand there has been a meeting with the ambassador in Dublin. Has there been a meeting in the Philippines or in Singapore with representatives of the government rather than the ambassador?

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