Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a full report on Irish efforts to extract Irish citizens from Afghanistan will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60101/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An internal report on the evacuation of Irish citizens from Afghanistan, taking stock of our engagement and feeding into lesson learning, has been prepared by my officials - in line with standard practice. My Department’s support for Irish citizens in Afghanistan is ongoing.

A total of 108 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted in evacuating Afghanistan since the crisis broke in mid-August. My Department, including through our Embassy in Abu Dhabi, continues to work with EU Member States and partners in the region to support the ongoing evacuation efforts.

My Department has also provided support in the immediate aftermath of the crisis to established residents, a number of whom were assisted in returning to Ireland. Separately, we have supported the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in evacuating over 350 Afghans at risk under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).

I would like to avail of the opportunity to put on record my appreciation for our international partners, strong cross-government collaboration, and the critical role of staff in my Department and across our Embassy network in the evacuation efforts.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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273. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he will take to try to get persons (details supplied) home for Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60303/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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This is a complex case involving an Irish citizen who has been prevented from leaving China since March 2019. My Department has been providing ongoing consular assistance to the citizen since that time through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai, while he and his legal teams work on the legal, commercial and financial issues through the appropriate channels. Our Consul General has met and engaged very regularly with the citizen, and continues to provide all possible consular advice and support.

There has also been extensive and regular engagement at the most senior political and diplomatic level with the Chinese authorities in Beijing and Shanghai, and with the Embassy of China in Dublin, in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible. During my visit to China earlier this year I discussed the case with a view to achieving a resolution of the matter.

As the Deputy will appreciate, and as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. 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.