Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made on an investigation (details supplied); the plans his Department has to provide further assistance to the family during the investigation; and the support and assistance that will be given to the family from the Irish consulate. [5868/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to him of 27 September 2007, my Department has provided extensive consular assistance to the family of the person concerned since his tragic death in Lanzarote on 1 August 2007. Officials from our Consular Section, our Embassy in Madrid and our Honorary Consulate in Lanzarote have maintained direct contact with the family and have assisted in making significant progress on a wide range of practical and sensitive issues.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is a matter for the Spanish authorities. My Department was informed yesterday that the court judge had decided to request the police to provisionally close the case as there was no evidence that the death was caused as result of a crime. I understand that a term of three days has been given to appeal this Court resolution. This decision has been communicated to the family. The Embassy and Honorary Consulate will remain in contact with the Spanish authorities on the implications of the decision and will communicate any further developments to the family immediately. I can also assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the family.