Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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250. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a case (details supplied) and the level of engagement with the person concerned by the consular services. [49266/17]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to do everything it can to support and assist this citizen. However, the Irish Government is limited in what it can do in the case of an Irish citizen who is involved in a criminal case overseas. The Irish Government cannot intervene in a matter that is before the courts in another jurisdiction, just as no foreign Government can interfere in our judicial system.

Nonetheless, both I and my officials have been working very hard on this citizen's behalf. We have made repeated representations to the authorities in Manila stressing the humanitarian concerns in this case and requesting that the pending appeal against this man's conviction be expedited.

The Irish Government made a direct request to the Administrator of the Supreme Court to ask that this Appeal be expedited on humanitarian grounds. In April of this year, the Administrator of the Supreme Court acknowledged the Irish Government's concerns and interest in the matter and instructed that the papers related to the Appeal should be elevated to the Supreme Court for consideration.

In July 2017 attorneys acting on behalf of this citizen advised that all relevant papers had been filed in relation to the appeal. The matter is now with the Supreme Court for resolution.

Last September while I was attending the UN General Assembly session in New York I personally raised the case directly with the Philippines Foreign Minister, Mr Alan Cayetano. I underlined the Irish Government's concerns about this situation and asked for Foreign Minister Cayetano's assistance, specifically in relation to our request that the Supreme Court consider the appeal urgently. Minister Cayetano agreed to follow up on the matter on his return to Manila.

Most recently this month I followed up with a letter to Foreign Minister, Mr. Cayetano reiterating my serious concerns about this case and in view of the compelling humanitarian consideration in this case.

The Irish Ambassador to The Philippines has also, on my instruction, raised the case again at senior official level in recent weeks with the Philippines Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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