A former justice minister says it is a pity that Richard O'Halloran's return from China took so long.
Charlie Flanagan was speaking as the Irish businessman is en-route home from China, after restrictions on him were lifted.
He had been placed on a Chinese Exit Ban three years ago.
It had been put in place as a result of a dispute involving the company he worked for and Chinese authorities.
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has welcomed the development, saying it has been "a very difficult journey for him and his family."
Warmly welcome the returning home of Richard O’Halloran.
I acknowledge the work of the many people in Ireland and in China who have helped make this day happen.
It has been a very difficult journey for him and his family.
Thinking of them today.— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 28, 2022
Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Flanagan told The Hard Shoulder this is a good day.
"This was a time of great anxiety and trauma for the family over a period of three years.
"This is a day of great relief - Richard is on way home to his family... where he should be.
"The only pity was that it took so long: it was complex, it was difficult, but it's good news today."
He says people doing business in other jurisdictions should be aware of differences that exist.
"The fact of the matter here is that doing business in China is not like doing business in Ireland.
"It's a different business system, it's a different business culture, it's a different regulatory system, it's a different juridical system.
"People should be pretty weary about doing any business in a foreign jurisdiction where the rules and regulations are not similar to those that exist in Ireland".
He also made comparisons to the case of Ibrahim Halawa, who was held in Egypt for several years.
"Similar situation there - there was a court case, there were witnesses involved and of couerse it wasn't similar to what might obtain here in this country".
And Deputy Flanagan says the Government had no involvement in any case against Mr O'Halloran.
"My involvement, and indeed the involvement of any TDs - and of course the involvement of Simon Coveney in particular and the Department of Foreign Affairs - was to provide consular assistance to an Irish citizen.
"We weren't involved in the business case here - we weren't involved in the intricacies of business, who did what in terms of this man's private business.
"Our concern was from a humanitarian point of view, and I'm pleased that that worked out."
Mr Flanagan also thanked all involved in the case, including China's ambassador to Ireland.
