Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 602: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government paid bail for the so-called Colombia Three; the cost of the bail; if the money has been recovered from the persons concerned; the efforts made to recover the money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2282/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In the consular case referred to by the Deputy, the court judgment permitted the Irish citizens concerned to be released from prison under "conditional freedom", on payment of a bond. My Department, at the request of the defence team and given the consular concerns of the Department at the time about the safety of the persons concerned, advanced the funds to facilitate the payment of this bond, on the basis of a firm undertaking to repay the sum involved.

As I have indicated in previous replies, the decision to advance funds was taken exclusively by the Department in pursuit of its consular responsibilities, and was neither discussed nor taken at political level.

The funds of €17,000 were advanced on the 25th June 2004, and were repaid on the 20th August 2004.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent on bail for Irish citizens facing prosecution or criminal investigation overseas for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2283/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not provided any funds for bail for Irish citizens facing prosecution or criminal investigation overseas during the past three years.