Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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11. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide regular briefings to the family of missing person (details supplied); if he will meet them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2469/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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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.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. The missing person concerned is Amy Fitzpatrick, an Irish citizen who at 15 years of age went missing in Spain seven years ago. At the time of her disappearance the Government made many promises to do everything necessary to find out what happened to her and to bring a conclusion to this matter. The missing girl's aunt, Christine Kenny, would like to meet with the Minister to ensure a proper protocol in terms of quarterly meetings with officials is put in place. Despite the many promises made by the Government to do everything possible, in Ms Kenny's experience, that is not happening. The family would welcome greater and better communication.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I can assure Deputy Flanagan that I have requested the Head of Council to keep me fully informed and briefed on any discussions or developments in this case. I also can assure him that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided extensive and continuous assistance to the family since Amy's disappearance in 2008. The Department has also liaised consistently with the appropriate Spanish authorities.

I take this opportunity to again assure the Deputy and the House that the Department will continue to provide all possible assistance to the family of the individual concerned.