Departmental Communications

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Ceisteanna (288)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade given the increasing attention by her and her Department on the ongoing detention of a person (details supplied); the high-level engagement she personally has had or has instructed her officials to have with senior elected officials in the US House of Representatives; if she will release copy correspondence regarding any and all such interactions and meetings; the details of when and how such meetings or interactions took place and the responses were received to these overtures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12705/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

As set out in the programme for government, advancing the case of undocumented Irish citizens in the U.S. is a priority issue for this Government, and one that I take very seriously.

At the beginning of February, I travelled to Washington D.C. and met with elected officials in Congress. During these engagements, I raised the general issue of immigration. I was pleased to meet with the bipartisan Friends of Ireland Caucus, which presented a valuable opportunity for deepening US-Ireland relations, and advocating for Irish interests, including the undocumented, on a cross-party basis.

In relation to the given case, officers in my Department are actively engaging, via the appropriate channels, and in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. Our Consulate General in Austin, Texas is providing consular assistance to the citizen involved and his family, and our Embassy in Washington DC is engaging directly with U.S. authorities at a senior level.