Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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5. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what engagement he has had with Iraqi authorities on the Irish resident (details supplied) imprisoned in Iraq. [53469/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The conviction and imprisonment in Iraq of this person, who has an Irish family and is normally resident in Ireland, is a serious concern. There are good reasons to question the basis on which he was convicted.

However, it is important to be clear that the subject is an Australian citizen. It is therefore the Australian authorities, and their Embassy in Baghdad, who have consular responsibility and standing in relation to his case. We have made clear to Australia our willingness to help if they consider it would be useful, but we are limited in the extent to which we can intervene.

Within that context, we have nevertheless made clear to Iraqi authorities our concerns about the case. I raised the case directly with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein when we met at the General Assembly in New York last September. I am aware that former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, also raised this case directly at political level with Iraqi counterparts.

Ireland's Ambassador in Jordan, who is also accredited to Iraq, discussed the case with Iraqi Ministers and senior officials when she visited Baghdad last year, as well as liaising with the Australian Embassy. Since the opening of the Embassy of Iraq in Dublin last year, my Department has discussed the issue with that Embassy on many occasions.

Last week I met with the family of the individual concerned, and heard from them the toll his imprisonment has taken on the individual himself and on the family. I assured them that we would continue to do as much as we can to help in his case.