Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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327. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions the Government has undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); the further actions the State intends to undertake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35859/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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My Department officials at headquarters in Dublin, at our Embassy in Singapore, which is accredited to the Philippines, and our Honorary Consul in Manila, have all been engaged in this case and have provided consular assistance to this individual and to his family, since they were first made aware of this citizen’s detention in 2013.

Let me assure the Deputy that the individual’s concerns have been raised with the relevant authorities in Manila. I personally raised the case with my Philippines counterpart in New York in September. Our Ambassador in Singapore again raised the case with the Philippines Foreign Ministry on 19 October and the Consul visited the Philippines and met with this citizen on 12 October.

I am very much aware of the extremely difficult circumstances in which this individual, and his family find themselves. This citizen, who remains on bail, has filed an appeal with the Philippines Supreme Court against his conviction and sentence in 2013. The individual has legal representation and it is for the lawyers to advise on legal questions and to act on his behalf in matters before the courts. The Irish Government cannot offer legal advice nor intervene in the judicial processes in other countries.

The individual concerned is in regular and direct contact with Department officials both in Dublin and in Singapore. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, our Embassy in Singapore and our Honorary Consulate in the Philippines will continue to provide what consular assistance we can to this individual and to his family.