John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made on an investigation into the disappearance of an Irish citizen (details supplied) in the Netherlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21459/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The person referred to by the Deputy first came to the attention of my Department in November 2008. The family were concerned that there had been no contact from the individual and requested assistance in locating him. My Department has been providing consular assistance to the family since that time. In the weeks after the initial disappearance, the Embassy arranged a meeting, which was also attended by an Embassy official, between the family and the Dutch Police. At that meeting the Dutch Police gave assurances to the family that everything possible was being done to locate their missing relative. The Police Officer also provided his direct contact details to the family to that they could contact him if any new information was received by them.

The Embassy has actively monitored this case continuously and, in March this year, it was told that the Public Prosecutor had decided that the investigation into the disappearance would be re-examined. Following approaches by the Embassy to the Dutch police and Foreign Ministry last week, appointments have now been arranged between officials of our Embassy and the new Investigating Officer, and also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the present status of the investigation and proposed future action into the disappearance of Mr. Grealis. The family will be informed of the outcome of these meetings.