Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person (details supplied) will receive the full assistance of his Department for the cremation of their deceased child in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5303/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been aware of the case since early last week, when it received a telephone call from a member of the deceased man's immediate family. Following receipt of this call, it has sought to provide all possible consular assistance.

The Irish Embassy in London has informed me that the man's body was found on 16 November 2004. The embassy has contacted the deceased's local council to establish what efforts were made to establish next of kin. The council advised that it had searched his flat but were unable to find any documentation or identification which would enable it to do so. While it had found a diary containing three Christian names followed by six digit telephone numbers, they could not ascertain the nationality of the deceased man or the location of the three persons listed.

The embassy remains in contact with the council about this matter. The man's brother is now in direct contact with the council. The embassy has also contacted the British army's veterans' advice unit about the man's benefits and entitlements. It is investigating the matter and will respond as soon as possible. The embassy also contacted the coroner's office at Fulham and confirmed that an autopsy was performed. My Department will continue to provide consular assistance to the deceased man's family.