Written answers

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Consular Services

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12847/20]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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16. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has received further information from the Chinese authorities in relation to a person (details supplied); if he expects the person to be allowed leave China and return here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13065/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 16 together.

I can confirm to the Deputy that we are providing consular assistance to this citizen, through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, and through our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai.

Our focus has been on supporting the citizen’s consular needs, particularly his health and welfare, while he and his legal team seek to resolve any outstanding legal matters with the local authorities. Our Consul General in Shanghai has been meeting regularly with the citizen since last year, when we were first informed of the case, and is providing all possible support and advice.

I can further advise that the case has been raised several times at diplomatic level with the relevant authorities, both here in Dublin and in China. This engagement has highlighted the humanitarian aspects of the case, and the importance of the citizen returning home as soon as possible.

The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to discuss the details of any individual consular case, nor to comment on matters pertaining to a legal process in another jurisdiction. However I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen until he is permitted to return to Ireland.

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