Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support a person (details supplied); and the position regarding their case. [29400/09]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken to achieve the safe release of persons (details supplied) who were kidnapped in Sudan; if his attention has been drawn to the wide spread concern in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29888/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 590 together.

My Department became aware late on Friday night (3 July) of the abduction of the person mentioned by the Deputy, an Irish aid worker with Goal in Sudan. She and her Ugandan colleague, along with their Sudanese security guards, were kidnapped by armed men from a compound in Kutum, which is 120km from the state capital.

My Department was in immediate contact with Goal and the family of the person concerned. Both I and my colleague, Minister of State, Peter Power, spoke to the family on Friday evening. On Saturday, contacts were established with the Sudanese authorities and several governments who had experience of kidnapping of their citizens in Darfur. Contact was also established with the British authorities.

In consultation with a number of Government Departments and agencies, a decision was taken to send an official team, including our Ambassador to Sudan, who is based in Cairo, to deal directly with the authorities and other contacts in Sudan. The Government assigned an Aer Corps ministerial transport aircraft for this purpose.

I spoke directly to the family of the girl concerned and since then my officials have remained in constant contact with them to keep them updated on any developments on her case.

Following an initial round of meetings in Khartoum, part of the delegation travelled to El Fashir in Darfur to meet with the relevant authorities there. Our delegation is being facilitated by the Sudanese authorities and we are assured that every effort is being made to obtain the safe release of the abductees. The team is continuing its work and reporting back on a regular basis.

The Deputy will be cognisant of the need for discretion during a kidnap episode and I cannot go into detail about the operation in Sudan. However, I can assure the Deputy that everything possible is being done to secure the release of the citizen involved and her Ugandan colleague.