Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make urgent representations to the Indian Prime Minister to convey the serious concern of the Irish people at the ongoing delays in concluding the murder trial of the person accused of murdering an Irish citizen (details supplied) in March 2017. [2576/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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This case is a particularly difficult and challenging one and I appreciate how distressing it is for the family concerned.

I am particularly conscious of how frustrating the continued delays to the conclusion of the trial have been.

I want to reiterate my and the Irish Government’s support for the family in their quest for justice. I would like to acknowledge and commend their resilience and determination. This has not been easy and I do not for one moment underestimate the emotional and physical toll this has taken on them.

As the Deputy is aware, officials in my Department have been actively engaged on this case from the outset. I can confirm that they remain in regular contact with the family and are continuing to provide all possible consular assistance to them.

Officials in the Irish Consulate have engaged with the relevant local authorities on this case on a number of occasions. The Irish Consulate is continuing to monitor the case closely and is in regular contact with their British counterparts, as the citizen also held British citizenship.

I want to assure the Deputy and the family that the Irish Consulate will continue to engage on this case locally at every opportunity and stress the Irish Government’s strong desire to see a resolution to the case.

Officials in my Department will remain in contact with the family here as the case progresses and reaches a conclusion. Please be assured that my officials will continue to provide all possible assistance and support to the family.

As this is an ongoing consular case, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of the Government on the elections in Belarus on 26 January 2025; the level of support voiced for Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Belarusian opposition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2625/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As was the case with the fraudulent 2020 and 2024 elections, the Belarusian presidential election on 26 January 2025 was neither free nor fair. The people of Belarus have once again been denied a real voice in the governing of their country. The relentless and unprecedented repression of human rights, restrictions on political participation and access to independent media in Belarus deprived the electoral process of any legitimacy.

Furthermore, I regret that the Lukashenko regime prevented an election observation mission from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe / Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) access to key stages of the forthcoming election process, making meaningful observation of the 2025 presidential election impossible and breaching Belarus’ international commitments.

The Government of Ireland is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, and the Lukashenko regime’s continued persecution and intimidation of all segments of Belarusian society. The Lukashenko regime has consistently used state sponsored crack-downs to stifle opposition voices and shore up its own illegitimate authoritarianism. It is clear that this unprecedented level of repression is intended to stop any criticism of the regime. It is deeply regretful that the hope that emerged in 2020, when Belarusians made clear their desire for long awaited freedom, has been met with persecution and intimidation by the Lukashenko regime.

The Government’s response to the situation in Belarus has focused on working bilaterally, at EU and multilateral level to: highlight concerns regarding the overall political climate, lack of respect for human rights and freedom of expression, and persecution of political opponents; support accountability initiatives; support the democratic opposition in exile, and; support the courageous human rights defenders and civil society organisations who continue their important work despite the increasing risks.

The Government continues to support strong coordinated EU sanctions and other measures, including action at the UN, to hold Belarus accountable for its violations of human rights and the rule of law, and its complicity in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On 26 January, together with other EU Foreign Affairs, I met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the Belarusian democratic movement, in Brussels ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council. At that meeting, I reiterated Ireland's commitment to continuing to speak out against the Lukashenko regime and to support the rights of the Belarusian population and the Belarusian democratic movement.