Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support a case (details supplied). [13878/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been providing extensive consular support since first being made aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. On 5th April, our Embassy in Berne was contacted by the CEO of the company of the three persons detained in Basel and immediate consular assistance was offered. The Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy made immediate contact with the Public Prosecutor and the three people were subsequently released.

The Chargé d'Affaires also travelled to Basel to meet with the people concerned and arranged a meeting with the Basel Public Prosecutors office at which the representative of that office explained the background to the case. The Prosecutor's office also informed them that the case against them was now closed. I understand that the Prosecutor's office indicated that an internal investigation would be carried out into the circumstances of the case.

I have instructed our Ambassador to contact the relevant Swiss authorities to express our serious concern about the circumstances in which these individuals were detained. I can assure the Deputy that our Embassy will continue to engage in active and ongoing dialogue with the relevant Swiss authorities in relation to this case.