Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied), a British citizen married to an Irish citizen, who has been imprisoned in Dubai for 17 years; if he is further aware of the work done by the UN arbitrary detention group on this case; if he is in a position to utilise our positive relations with UAE authorities to present a case for the release of this person who is 70 years of age and in ill health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32660/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the continued detention of this person. At my request, officials in my Department recently met with his wife and family members and representatives to discuss his ongoing detention.

As the Deputy has noted, the person in question is a United Kingdom citizen. It is therefore the UK authorities, and their Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, that hold the consular responsibility and standing in relation to his case. I understand they have been active on his behalf over a long period.

Nonetheless, his continued detention is a matter of concern, and officials in my Department are in contact with UK authorities on this matter. At ministerial level, the UAE is aware of our interest in this case. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not the practice to comment in detail on individual cases.