Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the required reports will be furnished to the Turkish authorities from the mutual legal assistance department in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11112/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that the provision of mutual legal assistance by Ireland to another state is governed by the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act, 2008, which provides for, amongst other things, a legislative basis for the 1959 Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Assistance, to which both Ireland and Turkey are signatories.

A request for Mutual Legal Assistance was received from the Turkish Authorities on 17 December 2018 and some of the information requested by the Turkish Authorities has been provided. The provision of the remaining information is subject to the receipt of certain assurances from the Turkish Authorities.

My officials have been in contact with the Turkish authorities and relevant officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with a view to expediting matters.

The provision of mutual legal assistance in criminal matters is a matter between States and as such, are confidential.  It is not generally the policy to comment on individual cases.