Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Sri Lanka. [38442/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As I confirmed to the Deputy in previous replies in relation to this Irish citizen, my officials remain in close and direct contact with the wife and family of the person mentioned by him and they liaise directly with her on any request for assistance or on any development on his case. The Ambassador and officers in the Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Sri Lanka, have also been very active in pursuit of progress in this difficult case. I met with the wife, daughter and other family representatives of the person mentioned by the Deputy on 29 February 2012. The person’s wife and other family representatives also met with the Head of the Consular Division on 28 May 2012. As a result of these meetings I once again wrote to the Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs on 18 June 2012, urging on behalf of the Government of Ireland, that the person mentioned by the Deputy, either be released or charged at the earliest opportunity. I also informed the Minister of External Affairs that I would like to personally meet with him in the margins of any international meeting at which we are both present, to discuss the case, should the opportunity arise. A response to my letter is awaited.

I am informed that at a fundamental rights hearing of the case before the local Sri Lankan Courts on 10 September 2012, the case was postponed to 8 November 2012, much to the distress of his family, as these hearings have been repeatedly postponed. I am most conscious and concerned about the fact that the person mentioned by the Deputy has now spent 5 years in detention without charge. I can assure the Deputy that all possible consideration will be given to any requests that the family may raise and that I and my officials will continue to seek to raise this case at every opportunity.