Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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399. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the work of the UN working group on arbitrary detention; if his attention has been drawn to the UN report by the working group on arbitrary detention relating to the Catalan political leaders in jail and the calls for their immediate release; the discussions he has had with the EU, Spanish and UK authorities to secure the release of the Catalan public representative; the legal options available to his Department in such matters; if Ireland can bring a case to the ECHR similar to that of the Hooded Men case that Ireland brought against the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34708/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department follows developments in Spain closely and I am aware of the United Nations Working Group to which the question refers.

As I have previously stated, the constitutional and political arrangements in Spain are matters to be determined by their own citizens, through their own democratic processes and institutions, in keeping with the rule of law.

We respect the constitutional and territorial integrity of Spain. The Government is not considering any legal action with regard to this matter.