Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the reported expulsion of two Irish nationals (details supplied) from Germany in connection with their participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations; if he has raised any concerns with his German counterparts regarding the protection of free speech and the rights of Irish citizens within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26299/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, are aware of the matter raised by the Deputy. I can further confirm that officials in the Irish Embassy in Berlin have engaged with the relevant German authorities on the matter.

I wish to assure the Deputies that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, stand ready to provide consular assistance, should the citizens concerned request it.

My Department, including our Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. The provision of consular assistance is a cornerstone of the work of my Department. As with all consular cases, my officials will consider each case on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate advice and assistance that we can provide to Irish citizens in accordance with the Consular Assistance Charter.

The provision of consular assistance is at the request of the citizens concerned or, where the citizen cannot request such assistance, by a family or friend. As such, and until a request has been received, the Department does not directly reach out to citizens to offer assistance.

As the Deputies will appreciate, the Department does not comment on the specific details of individual cases.