Colombia case a consular matter, says Ahern

The Taoiseach said that the Government considered the "Colombia three" to be a consular case.

"Our paramount concern has been and remains the safety and security of the three men, who are Irish citizens," said Mr Ahern. "The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its embassy in Mexico, has from the outset sought to ensure the men's well-being and provide them with appropriate consular assistance."

He added that the case had been going on for three full years. It was in this context that he had discussed the case, among other matters, with President Uribe during his visit to Colombia.

"The suggestions we put were, first, that they should be allowed to return home, since there is an issue of security, so long as they agree to return for the case.

"The second and better option is that the appeal be speeded up. There is a view that the appeal is based on very narrow grounds. However, that is a legal matter."

Mr Ahern was replying to Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) who had asked him to be more specific about what the President of Colombia had said about the three Irish nationals, "who have been in front of the courts, cleared of the most serious charges against them and whose time in custody is equal to or has exceeded that for the less serious charges".

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said he was astounded that Mr Higgins had referred to the use of a false passport as a minor charge.

"It is appalling that, while it is right and proper that the Government of the day would be concerned about the safety and health of our citizens abroad, the Taoiseach can given a guarantee to the President of Colombia, with whose country Ireland does not have extradition arrangements, of the return of three persons who have been convicted of using false passports when entering Colombia.

"Is the Taoiseach making this unique arrangement on the basis that these are Irish citizens or that they are members of Sinn Féin? Sinn Féin denied that one of these persons was its representative in Cuba."

Mr Ahern said: "Obviously any charge is serious, but some of these charges were more serious than others. The people concerned were found innocent of these.

"The issue now is whether they should have to stay in jail for two years pending an appeal. This seems an inordinate amount of time, and it would certainly not happen in this country or most other countries."