Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 55: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update regarding a missing person (details supplied); the action he will take to have this case solved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6392/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Consular Assistance Section in Dublin and the Irish Embassy in Madrid, has been providing assistance in the case of the person mentioned by him since her disappearance on 1 January 2008. Since the previous parliamentary reply to the Deputy, PQ 213 of December, 2010, the status of the case of the missing Irish girl in Spain has not changed. Our Embassy in Madrid remains in contact with the Guardia Civil in relation to the case and is ready to assist her family in whatever way possible. I am informed that, unfortunately, there are no new definitive leads as to her whereabouts.

However, I am assured that the Spanish authorities continue to investigate her case with the hope of finding her, that the senior police officer leading the investigation has undertaken to keep the Embassy informed of any developments, that her case is still considered by them as a missing person's case, and that any information received will be passed on immediately to the family both in Spain and in Ireland.

I would like to assure the Deputy that the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a strong interest in following this case with the Spanish police and that it will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the extended family.

I would also like to express my full understanding of the acute distress the disappearance of the girl is causing all her extended family.