Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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378. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); if he will intervene by contacting the Algerian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37486/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The case referred to is a particularly devastating one for the parent left behind. Regarding any case of parental child abduction, my Department’s general policy is to discuss and explore with the left behind parent possible mediation options; possible legal avenues to be pursued in the country where the child or children have been taken; and to seek to facilitate a welfare check on the child or children concerned.

Any case of parental child abduction is made far more complex and difficult to resolve should the country concerned not be a signatory to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.

Officials in my Department, both at our Consular Assistance team at HQ and at our Embassy in Berne, which is accredited to Algeria, have provided advice and information to the relevant Irish parent, since contact was first made, that is fully in line with Departmental policy.

My Department has also raised this case with the Algerian authorities on a number of occasions.

Both our consular assistance team and our Embassy in Berne will continue to liaise with the Irish citizen concerned and provide any consular support that they can, with a particular focus on the welfare of the children.