Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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398. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on concerns for the well-being of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who was arrested in the Philippines in July 2013, given that the person and his family strongly maintain his innocence, and that he was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but is currently out on bail; if his Department is providing the person with consular assistance; and if he has discussed the issue with his Filipino counterpart. [19486/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of this case and has been providing consular assistance to the citizen and his family since July 2013.

The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore, which is accredited to the Philippines, as well as the Honorary Consulate General in Manila have provided ongoing assistance to this citizen, including providing a list of lawyers; making representations to the prison service on the citizen’s welfare after the person was detained; and facilitating the safe retrieval of personal belongings after the person’s release on bail.

It is important to bear in mind the role of the Irish Government where citizens are imprisoned abroad. When an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail. As the Deputy will be aware the Irish Government cannot intervene directly in matters before foreign courts.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to provide consular assistance as necessary and to make appropriate representations to the government of the Philippines to request that the citizen’s appeal be processed as soon as possible.