Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Deaths of Irish Citizens Abroad

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed breakdown of recent consultation and engagement his Department has had with the authorities in India following the tragic and sudden death of a person (details supplied) in 2014; if he will provide an update into the investigation in relation to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death; if he will further provide details on whether any additional toxicological reports were made available and the efforts made by his Department to obtain additional toxicological reporting; his Department's efforts to keep the family of the deceased informed of ongoing developments in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45387/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am keenly aware that the first anniversary of the tragic death of this Irish citizen has been marked in recent days, and understand the frustrations of the family with the delays in determining the cause of death.

In the course of the past year, my Department has provided extensive consular assistance to the family of the Irish citizen through our Embassy in New Delhi, our Honorary Consul in Mumbai and our Consular Assistance section in Dublin, and my officials continue to be in ongoing direct contact with the family.

The new Director of Consular Services met with the family of the Irish citizen on 30 November 2015 to discuss the case in-depth and to update the family on developments.

In India, our Honorary Consul in Mumbai met with the local police in mid-October, and spoke again to the police at the end of November, to emphasis our pressing interest in this case and to seek updates on the investigation.

In addition to the toxicological report that was forwarded to the family, in mid-October the Embassy wrote to the relevant hospital's Pathology Department requesting that any additional toxicological reporting that may be forthcoming be expedited. Earlier this month, the Consulate met with the relevant hospital doctor to underline the importance of receiving an urgent response to the earlier written request.

Let me assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the family and will continue to keep them updated on developments, while also remaining engaged with the relevant Indian authorities on this case.

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