Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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347. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the arrangement made with the Chinese Government in relation to the return to Ireland of a person (details supplied); if commitments or undertakings, financial or otherwise, were made by the Government to secure the return of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5836/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I warmly welcome the lifting of the travel restrictions on the citizen referred to, enabling him to return home to Ireland to reunite with his family. The Government has been actively engaged on this case throughout at the most senior political and diplomatic levels.

The company with which the the citizen is connected was involved in a complicated legal case in China. His situation became a consular case for my Department and consular assistance and support was provided directly to him at all stages.

While the Department of Foreign Affairs was not a party to the court case itself, and there are constraints on what I can say, I can confirm that we have provided certain assurances to the Chinese authorities to assist in resolving this matter. This has not involved the use of any public monies, and there has been no Government guarantee provided in relation to any private debts or liabilities.