I propose to take Questions Nos. 504, 505 and 507 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases.
There are two distinct scenarios that can apply in International Child Abduction cases. The first is where a child or children have been removed from this jurisdiction to a country that is a cooperating partner under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the second is where children have been removed from this jurisdiction to a country that is not a party to that Convention.
In the first scenario, the Irish Central Authority for International Child Abduction (Central Authority) located within my Department, can assist in return and access cases. The Central Authority can only assist in cases where children have been removed from this jurisdiction to a country that is a cooperating partner under the 1980 Hague Convention, that is, where their accession is accepted by this jurisdiction. It is also important to note that the Central Authority does not provide legal advice but can assist an individual with making an application under the Hague Convention. Additional helpful information to parent(s) who may have queries on the operation of the Central Authority can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/505a0-international-child-abduction/#circumstances-outside-of-the-remit-of-the-central-authority
While there is a published list of signatory countries to the Convention on the Hague Convention website (www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=24), the status of that list may be subject to change. Information on the latest status of those signatory countries can be obtained directly from the Central Authority and parent(s) who may have questions on this may to contact the Central Authority directly at internationalchildabduction@justice.ie
In the second scenario where a child has been removed from this jurisdiction to a country that is not a party to that Convention, or is being wrongfully retained in such a country, it is important to understand those cases cannot be assisted by the Central Authority. In that case, the parent(s) concerned should engage immediately with Consular Assistance Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs who will provide appropriate consular assistance, as appropriate.
My Department had previously taken steps to seek agreement on a bilateral agreement with their Egyptian counterparts. Notwithstanding that those previous efforts were unsuccessful, officials from my Department are currently engaging with the Department of Foreign Affairs to explore what might be further possible in this regard. I look forward to examining any options arise from those engagements to progress this matter.
Finally, on the matter of legal aid, while again I hope the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on individual cases, it is the case that there may be financial supports available, depending on individual circumstances. The Legal Aid Board publishes information on eligibility on its website and I would urge those who have questions about eligibility to contact them to assess their situation.
