Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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752. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consular assistance has been provided for a person (details supplied) who was arrested in Togo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20142/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I can reassure the Deputy that I am aware of this case and it remains both a concern and priority. My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country.

My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) which communicates regularly with the citizen, while we continue to provide consular advice and support.

There has also been, and will continue to be, engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible. 

As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that I and my Department will remain engaged on the matter.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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753. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify the situation in relation to a person (details supplied); the steps that he has taken to assist in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20147/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I can reassure the Deputy that I am aware of this case and it remains both a concern and priority. My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country.

My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) which communicates regularly with the citizen, while we continue to provide consular advice and support.

There has also been, and will continue to be, engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible. 

As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that I and my Department will remain engaged on the matter.