I am glad that Deputy Coveney is here today standing in for the Taoiseach because he has long experience in foreign affairs. A citizen from Clonmel, Mr. John White, has been incarcerated in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for a number of years. He was imprisoned for debt - company debt rather than personal debt. He has had two strokes and has just been released from hospital. His sister contacted me yesterday to tell me that he was finally released from hospital on Friday morning. He is almost blind and he needs consular assistance to get out of the UAE and back home. He has family in Clonmel and Dublin. The Taoiseach knows of this family. I ask the Minister to instruct the consulate to intervene here. This man has been to hell and back. He has been incarcerated for some time but was released from hospital on Friday morning. He suffered two strokes and is partially blind. He is unable to fend for himself or make his way home. He needs consular assistance and I appeal to the Minister to intervene.

Having been in the Department of Foreign Affairs, I know how complex and difficult some consular cases can be. I will raise this issue with the Department and remind officials of the urgency of the case the Deputy has raised.