Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
281. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has spoken to the family of a person (details supplied); if she has sought to speak to them directly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12508/26]
View answerI can confirm that officials in my Department, including in the Consulate General in Austin and Embassy in Washington D.C., are providing ongoing consular assistance in this case. The Embassy in Washington has engaged directly with the Department of Homeland Security at a high level in relation to this case.
Since October 2025, the Consulate General of Ireland in Austin has provided ongoing support and consular assistance to this citizen in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. The Consulate General of Ireland in Austin, the Embassy in Washington D.C and Consular officials in Dublin remain in direct contact with the citizen, his lawyer and his family. I can further confirm that staff in the Consulate General in Austin have conducted a welfare visit to this individual. My officials will continue to monitor developments in this case and provide appropriate support.
Consular assistance is provided at the request of the citizen who have an expectation and entitlement to privacy in relation to their cases. For this reason, details of consular cases and engagement on same are not shared with anyone other than the designated point of contact or next of kin, or Departmental consular officials as appropriate.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I will continue to monitor developments in this case and my officials will provide appropriate support to the citizen and their family when required.
