Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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26. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions, at European Union, level over the serious, and without substance, comments by the President of the United States of America, Mr Barack Obama, labelling Venezuela as a country that supports terrorism, and as a threat to the security of the United States of America; and if he acknowledges that this statement will only destabilise the Americas region. [19334/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Venezuela is a matter of concern to Ireland and to our EU partners and is monitored closely within the EU's Foreign Affairs Council. The recent steps taken by the United States are intended to impose financial and travel restrictions on seven named individuals in leadership positions in Venezuela whom the United States has identified as being involved in human rights violations. The accompanying Executive Order signed by President Obama provides the legal basis for the sanctions in accordance with US law.

The measures invoked by the United States have given rise to diplomatic tensions between the US and Venezuela and have been commented on widely. I am pleased that the US has advised that the measures in question are not directed against the Venezuelan people as a whole, only against the named individuals. Official sources have clarified that the US does not consider Venezuela to be a threat to its national security and Venezuela is not listed by the US State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism. President Obama and President Maduro discussed their countries' bilateral relations at the Summit of the Americas in Panama on 10 April in what was described as a candid, serious and frank manner. Since then, a team from the US State Department has returned to Caracas, at President Maduro’s invitation, for official discussions.

I am following the situation in Venezuela closely and with concern. Increasing internal tensions, political polarisation, and a severe economic crisis have led to serious shortages in medical supplies and daily goods. I am concerned that a severe humanitarian crisis may develop if the situation is not resolved soon. The deaths, casualties and detentions arising from the unrest in Venezuela require full, impartial investigation in accordance with due legal process. The apparently high levels of impunity in the case of serious crimes are a matter of further concern.

I share the view expressed by EU High Representative Mogherini, and by Venezuela’s regional partners, that the government there must work with all parties and with civil society to overcome the difficult situation in the country. I encourage all sides to enter into inclusive and open negotiations to meet the legitimate concerns of the people of Venezuela. I remain of the view that the best hope for progress is an inclusive dialogue to address the challenges facing the country, fully respecting the democratic rights of people on all sides.

I welcome the recent report that Venezuela’s National Electoral Commission have confirmed that legislative elections will be held by the end of the current year. It is essential that the elections, and the campaign preceding it, be held in a manner that is fully free and fair and in accordance with international standards.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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27. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the lack of a credible opposition to President Nazarbayev in the recent presidential elections in Kazakhstan; his further views regarding the freedom to organise a political opposition in Kazakhstan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19307/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my written reply to his question of 6 May concerning the Presidential election in Kazakhstan on 26 April.

My reply referred to the Statement of preliminary findings and conclusions by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission which was deployed at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. This Statement identifies certain issues which give grounds for serious concern, including the lack of genuine choice for voters between political alternatives. The Statement also notes that President Nazarbayev and his political party dominate politics in Kazakhstan and the Statement expresses concern that there is a lack of credible opposition, with several prominent critics of the government either imprisoned or living in exile. At the UN Human Rights Council last October, Ireland spoke at the Universal Periodic Review of Kazakhstan and expressed the hope that Kazakhstan would receive a visit from Mr. Maina Kiai, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

We welcome the fact that this visit took place in January and we look forward to discussing the Special Rapporteur’s report of his visit next month at the Human Rights Council. It is also expected that the OSCE/ODIHR final report on the presidential elections is expected in the in coming weeks. In the interim, I would take this opportunity to renew my appeal to the Kazakh authorities to respond positively to the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR report, including previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations not already addressed in the electoral law.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); the length the Government are prepared to go to to ensure that this person is released; the progress the Irish diplomatic service has made to date; the consular assistance that has been provided to this person, and his family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19330/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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This Irish citizen’s trial, having been postponed a number of times, has commenced. The next hearing is due to take place on 3 June.

At the last hearing of the trial, the citizen’s application for bail, an application formally supported by the Irish Government, was refused along with other bail applications in this case.

Our two objectives in this case remain clear: firstly, to see this Irish citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.

The considered approach and sustained action that I and my officials have taken in this case has been to further these objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to this citizen’s best interests.

It is important to bear in mind the role of the Irish Government where citizens are imprisoned abroad. Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any arrest abroad, the reality is that where 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 and release. The decision to release this citizen will be a decision that is made solely by the Egyptian authorities.

Given that the trial is under way, the Irish Government must exercise restraint in its public comment. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases, in line with our clear objectives in this case and what we firmly believe to be in the citizen’s best interests and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.

Officials in my Department remain in ongoing contact with the Egyptian authorities and will continue to provide consular support both to the citizen himself and to his family in Ireland in the run up to the next scheduled hearing on 3 June, and to take all appropriate action that is in his best interests.