Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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343. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the recent imprisonment of a person (details supplied) who has been sentenced to 26 years in prison by the dictatorial government of Nicaragua; if he will use his office to have the matter raised at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8393/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I remain gravely concerned by the situation in Nicaragua. The continued human rights violations, crackdowns on opposition voices, on civil society and on independent media, together with backsliding on democratic norms, are unacceptable.

Ireland and the EU have used all channels of engagement available to call on the Nicaraguan authorities to put an end to repression and to restore full respect for human rights in Nicaragua. This would include the return of international human rights bodies and NGOs to Nicaragua, as well as the ending of political persecution and the imprisonment of political opponents.

While Ireland and the EU welcomed the recent release of political prisoners from Nicaragua, we have also noted that they should never have been detained: Ireland and the EU have condemned the decision to strip them of their Nicaraguan citizenship and of their civil and political rights. We have stated that this release must now be followed by dialogue and further actions on the part of the Nicaraguan authorities.

I wish to assure the Deputy that I and my Department, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico and together with EU Member States and the External Action Service, are closely monitoring the detention of the individual under reference and continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all other remaining political prisoners. This forms part of our continued work to support the people of Nicaragua however possible, through our engagement in Dublin, at EU level, and on the ground.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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344. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to support a person (details supplied) who has been imprisoned in Iran since 3 October 2022 to return to Ireland.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8466/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I remain deeply concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his serious medical condition. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department. To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement on the citizen's case with the Iranian authorities at senior political and official levels.

I emphasised our deep concerns and reiterated the urgent importance of the citizen's release from prison on humanitarian grounds in my recent direct contact with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran and with the Ambassador of Iran to Ireland.

My Department is providing ongoing consular support and assistance to the citizen and his family, and is liaising closely with the Government of France in the context of his dual nationality.

As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the specific details of the case.