Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am extremely concerned for the welfare of Sharon Commins and her Ugandan colleague Ms.Hilda Kawuki, who have been in captivity for over 100 days now. Mr Al Gailani, the Sudanese Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, was appointed by the Sudanese Government as our official point of contact and has been in contact on almost a daily basis with our Ambassador to Sudan, Mr Gerry Corr, who remains with a strong interagency team in situ in Sudan. I am also in regular contact with Mr Al Gailani.

The Irish team in Sudan is continuing its work to secure the safe release of the two hostages. During my own visit to Sudan on the 6 and 7 September I impressed upon the Sudanese Government the need to persuade the kidnappers to free Sharon and Hilda and to bring this unacceptable situation to a swift and peaceful end. My visit was also useful in terms of emphasising that the release of the women is a priority at the highest political level for this Government, and in ensuring that the issue remains at the top of the Sudanese agenda, including at Ministerial level. More recently, on the 23 September, during my visit to New York, I availed of the opportunity to meet with the Sudanese Government at a senior level and also asked for the assistance of the US Government to use whatever influence it can on the Khartoum authorities to secure the release of the two women.

I have been in ongoing contact with the Commins family and our Embassy in Kampala has kept the Kawuki family informed of developments. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to go into the details of sensitive discussions which have taken place. I can, however, assure the Deputy that our efforts are continuing as intensely as ever.