Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and is continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance.

I can appreciate that the circumstances of this case are difficult for all concerned. The Embassy of Ireland has engaged with the relevant Ministry of Justice on the matter and has provided advice to the citizen accordingly. The citizen and their mediator have recently engaged in a formal mediation process in the relevant State to discuss the case and the legal processes available.

Departmental and Embassy officials have advised the citizen, since the case began and continue to do so, to engage with a local lawyer to best advise on the laws as they pertain to the jurisdiction in question. The Embassy of Ireland has also liaised with other EU Embassies, whose citizens have been in similar circumstances, in the context of the consular advice being given to the citizen.

My Department will continue to provide consular assistance to the citizen and I have asked my officials to organise for the citizen to meet with me in due course.