Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who has been held in Vakilabad prison in Mashhad, Iran since 3 October 2022; if he is engaging to assist in their release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16404/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. 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 by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign Minister of Iran.

In our engagement we are stressing the urgent importance of the citizen being released from prison on humanitarian grounds, in light of his deteriorating medical condition.

My Department is providing ongoing consular support and assistance to the citizen, and to his family - with whom I have been in direct contact. We are liaising with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.  

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