13. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who is married to an Irish citizen and has been detained arbitrarily in the UAE for the past 17 years; the steps his Department is taking to provide consular assistance and seek his release from arbitrary detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38291/25]

Sentiment score: -0.21

Is the Tánaiste's Department aware of the case of Ryan Cornelius, who is married to an Irish citizen and has been detained arbitrarily in the UAE for the past 17 years? What steps is it taking to provide consular assistance to Mrs. Cornelius and to seek Ryan's release from arbitrary detention?

Sentiment score: -0.38

I welcome that the Department will meet with Heather, her legal team and her brother-in-law, who is assisting her. When I wrote to the Minister about this matter on 13 May, I received a reply similar to what the Minister has just outlined, that is, that the responsibility for this case lies with the British consulate. Heather is an Irish citizen, as we have established. She is a victim of this injustice and is raising her children alone as a result. She has been separated from her husband, who has been arbitrarily detained for 17 years. She now faces the reality that, at the age of 71, she may experience him dying in prison. We have to help her, as a citizen of this country. Although the technical consular responsibility lies with the UK, we can help her. I do not agree that the UK has supported Heather and her family. They have been very frustrated with their experience. While the family has asserted, as the Minister said, that the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi has been helpful, the weight of the Department of foreign affairs needs to be put behind this issue.

Sentiment score: -0.12

Speed is of the essence because they have reached their wits' end with support from the UK. That is why Heather has turned to Ireland, essentially, for help. At the 93rd session of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in 2022, it found Ryan Cornelius to be arbitrarily detained. There were massive procedural issues with the original conviction in 2008. There are a huge number of issues to deal with. Meanwhile, Heather remains separated from her husband, raising her children alone. The legal team around her has provided incredible support. While it has kept this case at the top of its agenda and kept the pressure on the UK Government, it has received little response. I am delighted to hear the Tánaiste's Department will meet with Heather to provide her with the support that we can as a country.

Sentiment score: 0.20

55. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the course of action he plans to take should the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement continue to be blocked at EU Council level, despite clear evidence of the breach of the human rights provisions of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38292/25]

Sentiment score: 0.17