Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of international parental abduction and ask whether this topic came up at any of the meetings and discussions. This is a situation where one parent takes children out of the State, Ireland, but it could be any state, into another country and they are effectively kept there are not returned to their parent. Obviously, it is a horrendous situation for the parent and the family involved, the fact they are separated from the children. The Taoiseach might know of one case I am aware of currently. It involves a woman called Mandy who is the mother. She wrote to the Tánaiste and I have a copy of her email, stating:

I have not seen my children in over 400 days. I need further reassurance that the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Consulate in Cairo are serious regarding my Irish born sons' wellbeing and their right to be home. I wake up to a nightmare every single day not knowing if my children are alive or well.

Her ex-husband has gone back to Egypt and is effectively refusing to allow the children to come back. I understand she is in touch with the consulate and the Department. My question is a general one about discussions on this subject at international level, because what is happening is not just happening in Ireland, but also about how we can ensure all possible assistance is being given to Mandy and her family.

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