Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 312: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of representations made by, or on behalf of, Irish citizens for each of the past four years seeking financial aid for the payment of bail or bonds relating to matters arising from criminal investigations overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5012/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Requests to the Consular Section of the Department for financial assistance are usually made by telephone and sometimes by different relatives of the same person. It is not possible for the Department to give a breakdown on the number of representations we have received over the past four years as statistics are only kept in cases where funds are actually advanced for payment. The Department has a reputation for dealing sympathetically and effectively with consular cases of all kinds, a fact that has been widely recognised, including by very many Oireachtas Members. In the case of a bond payment, the Department would not as a rule advance funds for the purpose except where it had a real concern that the life or lives of the Irish citizens were in serious danger.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 313: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the person who repaid the sum of €17,000 which was advanced for the payment of a bond relating to the so-called Colombia 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5013/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The funds referred to by the Deputy were repaid in full on 20th August, 2004 by the 'Bring Them Home Campaign'.