John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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390. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has satisfied himself that every avenue has been explored on behalf of persons (details supplied) on the tragic death of their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35150/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The deputy will be aware, from the contacts that he has had on this tragic case with my predecessor and with officials in the Consular Assistance Unit of my Department, that the Department of Foreign Affairs, our Consul General in San Francisco and our Honorary Consul in Seattle have provided significant consular assistance to this man’s family, both at the time of his death in 2013 and in subsequent follow-up.

The actions pursued by the Irish Government, and the responses and positions of the relevant US authorities have been explained to the family and were also explained in detail in a letter to the deputy from Minister Flanagan last month.

The police investigators into this case concluded, and the Medical Examiner’s report reflects, that this young man’s death was a tragic accident. The police homicide unit, who were asked to review the matter, concluded likewise. The relevant Prosecutor’s Office also reviewed the case and decided that no criminal proceedings were to be pursued.

The family have been advised that their legal representative is best placed to advise them about any further steps that are open to them to pursue. Procedures for contacting the Prosecutor to seek a review of the decision in this case, and of relevant complaints procedures, have been outlined to the family and to the deputy.

The family have been advised that should they gain access to new evidence that allows a different interpretation of the factual situation than that upon which previous decisions were based, my Department would strongly suggest that they bring this to the attention of An Garda Síochána, who can liaise with the Seattle authorities through the appropriate police to police channels.