Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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322. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the existence of so-called police stations operated by Chinese authorities; if such police stations exist within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61708/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs raised the presence of a so-called 'Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station' with the Embassy of China in Ireland in October. My officials also consulted with other relevant stakeholders in Government on this matter.

Neither the Chinese authorities nor Fuzhou/Fujian Province made a request in advance to the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish the office referred to. In communications with the Embassy, the Department noted that actions of all foreign states on Irish territory must be in compliance with international law and domestic law requirements. On this basis, the Department informed the Embassy that the office on Capel Street should close and cease operations. The Chinese Embassy has now stated that the activities of the office have ceased.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to liaise with the Embassy to facilitate the provision of all relevant consular and citizen services to Chinese citizens in Ireland.