Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 766: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he, directly and or through the EU or the UN, has pursued the issue of the release of an Irish priest kidnapped in the Philippines; the effort to make direct contact; if indication has been given regarding their treatment; if an agency has made contact with the captors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38107/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I remain extremely concerned for the welfare of Fr. Michael Sinnott, who is now in his third week of captivity. I can assure you that the Government is making every possible effort to secure Fr. Sinnott's release.

On hearing of his abduction, I immediately asked our Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Richard O'Brien, who is based in Singapore, to travel to Manila to impress upon the Government there our concerns for the safety and health of Fr. Sinnott and to work with the authorities to help secure his early release. He was joined in Manila on 25 October by an official from Ireland's Mission in Timor-Leste.

Ambassador O'Brien has been engaged in talks with the Government of the Philippines, representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), local officials in Mindanao, members of the Columban Order in the Philippines and several international NGOs. We are working closely with our EU partners, and Ambassador O'Brien has had helpful discussions with senior officials of EU embassies and the European Commission Delegation. He has also met with the Papal Nuncio and with Philippine Church leaders. In addition, the US Embassy has been supportive.

Our Ambassador to the Holy See, Mr. Noel Fahy, has also been in contact with the Columban Order in Rome. On 21 October, Ambassador O'Brien travelled to Mindanao as part of a high-level delegation of EU ambassadors, and while there he made a strong plea for Fr. Sinnott's release. In the course of the visit the Ambassador was also briefed by UN officials.

I myself have been in direct contact with my Philippine counterpart, Foreign Secretary Romulo, on two occasions, to convey the great concerns held both by the Government and by the Irish public. He assured me that the Government of the Philippines will do all in its power to secure Fr. Sinnott's immediate release.

The Philippine authorities are briefing the Ambassador on an ongoing basis on the progress of their efforts. They have established a Crisis Management Committee (CMC) as well as a dedicated Police Task Force to identify the whereabouts of Fr. Sinnott and secure his safe release. The CMC last week offered a reward of Php200, 000 (€3,000) for information leading to his safe return. A joint police/military operation is underway to secure suspected locations. We have received assurances that the pressing issue of Fr. Sinnott's medication is being addressed at a local level.

Significantly, on Saturday 31 October, the kidnappers released a video clip, dated 24 October, which showed Fr. Sinnott in apparently reasonable health. Immediately following the release of the video, the Philippine authorities held a series of meetings aimed at deciding on a strategy for the way forward, and the Ambassador will shortly receive a comprehensive briefing from the Secretary of the Interior.

The video contained a ransom demand. The Government, in common with the Philippine Government and the Columban Order, have made clear that no ransom will be paid. I have been in direct contact with the head of the Columban Order both here and in the Philippines, and with the Sinnott family. The Consular Division of my Department remains in constant contact with the family and with the Columbans. In conclusion, I would like to once again appeal to the kidnappers to release Fr. Sinnott, a selfless man who has made such an enormous contribution to the welfare of the ordinary people of the Philippines.