Britain's High Commission in Sierra Leone has been asked to assist in efforts to secure the release of the Irish Christian Brother abducted with two priests almost two weeks ago, the Dail was told.

Britain was asked to assist through its contact with the government and other parties in Sierra Leone, in the efforts to ensure the welfare and release of Brother Noel Bradshaw (49), who was abducted at the end of February.

The Minister of State for Finance, Mr Martin Cullen, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said Britain's High Commission was one of the very few - if not the only one - functioning in Freetown, the capital, since the renewal of hostilities between government forces and the Revolutionary United Front.

The Minister told Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, who raised the issue on the adjournment, that the embassies in Rome were also in contact with the Italian and Holy See authorities, who were making their own efforts to communicate with the Revolutionary United Front.

Brother Bradshaw, a native of Portarlington, Co Laois, decided to remain in Makeni, a town 116 miles from Freetown, after it was taken over by the Revolutionary United Front several weeks ago. "He did so contrary to the advice of his order and to what most other expatriates did," the Minister said.

He added that he would do all he could with the assistance of the Sierra Leone government and the other parties, to "secure the outcome that we all desire".