Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance.

I have engaged directly with my counterpart in the jurisdiction in question on this matter and I subsequently met with the citizen concerned and provided clear advice. In addition, the Embassy of Ireland has engaged with the relevant Ministry of Justice on the matter and has provided advice to the citizen accordingly. 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.

Departmental and Embassy officials have advised the citizen, since the case began, to engage with a local lawyer to best advise on the laws as they pertain to the relevant jurisdiction. I understand that the citizen has now appointed legal representatives in the jurisdiction and I welcome this development.

The Department of Foreign Affairs cannot intervene in official legal or custodial processes in another jurisdiction but my officials will continue to provide consular assistance to the citizen where possible and appropriate.