Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the communications he has had with the Department of Foreign Affairs or the US authorities in respect of accepting former Guantanamo Bay detainees; the nature of that correspondence; and the decisions taken on foot of the correspondence. [7733/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that last September Ireland accepted two former detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The decision followed a US request to a number of countries for assistance in bringing about the closure of the facility and the adoption by EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of a framework relating to the resettlement of former Guantanamo detainees. In the context of that EU framework Ireland indicated its willingness to accept the two individuals for resettlement. Since their arrival the two individuals have been receiving support and assistance to help them to adjust to their new circumstances. I hope they will continue to be given the room to help rebuild their lives in Ireland.