Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has been in contact with a person (details supplied) in relation to child abduction; if he has provided any assistance to the family; and the position regarding this situation. [24146/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Central Authority for Child Abduction within my Department has not received an application in relation to this matter. The Central Authority operates for the purposes of a number of international and EU instruments relating to child abduction. The purpose of these instruments is to facilitate the return of children who have been wrongfully removed from one contracting state where they are habitually resident to another contracting state. As the country in question is not a contracting state to these international instruments, the Central Authority is not in a position to assist in this matter. In such situations, the family involved can seek consular assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and I understand that Department has been assisting the family.