Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
108. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement she has with Iraqi authorities on the return of an Irish resident (details supplied) to their family in Ireland from Iraq. [21551/26]
View answer117. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the return of an Irish resident (details supplied) to their family in Ireland from Iraq; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21550/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 117 together.
I thank the Deputy for her continued interest in this difficult and distressing case.
I and my officials continue to prioritise this matter in our contacts with the Iraqi Government. My officials remain in regular contact with the individual concerned and with his family. I want to reassure them that we are doing all we can to resolve the matter. We have continued to discuss this case with the Governments of both Iraq and Australia, and have also brought it up in other channels to try and amplify our message. Our message remains very clear: that the person in question must be allowed return to his family in Ireland.
It is unfortunate that the continuing process of forming a government in Iraq, and in particular now the war in the region since 28 February, which is having very serious side effects in Iraq, are making it more difficult to pursue the case. We plan to make a further appeal to the Iraqi authorities very shortly, focused in particular on the physical and mental health of the person, which are under great stress.
We will continue to try and press this case wherever we can.
