Written answers

Thursday, 2 February 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Prisoner Status

3:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the Bulgarian Government the case of a person (details supplied) who qualifies for Irish citizenship through two Irish grandparents, who was convicted and jailed in Bulgaria for a crime committed on 30 May 2005 for which another person had admitted guilt; if he will report to this Deputy the results of his discussions with the Bulgarian Government; if he will continue to exert pressure on the Government of Bulgaria to address the serious problems of corruption in their judicial system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3790/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the person mentioned by the Deputy is a British citizen and that he has not sought to avail of his qualification for Irish citizenship. I also understand that he has sought consular assistance from the British authorities in Bulgaria. The position generally is that if one travels abroad using the passport of a particular country, one will be treated accordingly by the authorities of the country visited.

The British authorities have confirmed to this Department that they are in regular contact with the Bulgarian authorities on the person's behalf and that they will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to him. In the particular circumstances, as raised by the Deputy, I have asked that our embassy in Sofia convey the Deputy's interest in the case, which we share, to the British authorities. Notwithstanding our lack of a formal role in this case, I will also ask the embassy to communicate this interest to the Bulgarian authorities.

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