Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to a person (details supplied); if he will facilitate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25971/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The next of kin of a deceased person may request that the person's remains be exhumed. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, a number of legal and logistical issues arise in such situations, particularly where the death occurred many years ago.

I asked our Embassy in London to make some preliminary enquiries regarding the request referred to by the Deputy. The Embassy has been informed that the family of the person mentioned does not own the grave and, therefore, must first obtain the permission of the present owners to have the ownership of the grave transferred into their name before the process of exhuming the body can begin. If this is agreed, I understand that the caretakers of St Pancras and Islington cemetery will then require written proof of an airline's willingness to transport the remains to Ireland. A cemetery in Ireland will also have to provide a statement of willingness to accept the person's remains.

The Embassy, (Consular Section, telephone 00 44 207 235 2171), would be pleased to provide a list of undertakers and lawyers who could assist the person concerned in taking the matter forward.