Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the kidnapping of one Italian and two Spanish aid workers from the Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria on 23 October; if he has considered if Irish officials could offer any support to Spanish officials working on this case, in particular in view of the experience of officials dealing with the kidnapping of an Irish citizen in Sudan in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35592/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am aware of the kidnapping of three European aid workers from the Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria in October and hope that they will be re-united with their families very shortly. It is a traumatic and worrying time for their families, as we know from our experience of the kidnapping of aid workers with Irish NGOs, and my thoughts are with their families at this distressing time.

It is a perturbing and unfortunate reality that aid workers who devote their careers to trying to make a difference in the developing world are often targets for these types of attacks. Like many countries, Spain and Italy have direct experience of these types of incidents. The Spanish authorities successfully negotiated the release of three Spanish citizens held captive in Mauritania for nine months in 2010 and have themselves significant expertise in dealing with these types of hostage situations.

My Department has not received any request for assistance from the Spanish or Italian authorities. Both Spain and Italy have strong ties with North Africa, given their close geographic proximity. I believe Spanish and Italian officials are well equipped with the skills needed to secure the release of the aid workers and know that they are doing everything possible to guarantee the safety of their citizens.