Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support persons (details supplied). [12920/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The case to which the Deputy refers relates to five Cuban men, known as the Miami Five, who were convicted in the US in 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder. As I have previously stated on a number of occasions to the Deputy, most recently on 25 February 2009, the Government has no standing in this matter, which is a bilateral consular question between the US and the Cuban authorities.

It is my understanding that the defendants' legal counsel lodged a petition to the US Supreme Court on 30 January requesting that it hear an appeal from these five individuals. With regard to the question of family visits, as I have previously stated I am aware that visas have been issued to a number of family members in past years but have not been granted to the wives of two of the convicted men on the stated grounds of US national security. I am not in a position to assess the justification for this decision.