Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
286. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a copy of all communications between her Department and the representatives and family members of a person (details supplied) further to their detention by immigration officials in the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12703/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide all copy correspondence of all communications including email, letter and telephone conversations and exchanges between him and all US departmental agencies concerned with respect to the incarceration and release of a person (details supplied) by US Immigration police in an ICE facility in US; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12704/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides Consular Assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of our Consular Assistance Charter. The Charter sets out in a clear and accessible manner the type of assistance citizens can expect to receive should they require assistance. The provision of consular assistance is a cornerstone of the work of the Department.
When a citizen contacts the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Consular Assistance, they do so with the understanding that we will not release information about their situation, even to their family, without their explicit consent. The trust between a citizen and the Department is extremely important and is treated in a strictly confidential manner.
Under GDPR the Department is not at liberty to disclose any correspondence received to a third party. We are committed to safeguarding all information in full compliance with Ireland’s Data Protection Acts.
I would like to assure the Deputy that officials in my Department, including in the Consulate General in Austin and Embassy in Washington D.C., are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance.
