Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ms Kelly met the Tánaiste on 21 November. The advice is that she engage with the legal system in Egypt and begin legal proceedings there. She has been told that the Department of Foreign Affairs cannot interfere in private legal matters. In the Department's view, this would best be done by appointing a lawyer in Egypt and engaging with the legal system there. The Department has contacted the Egyptian foreign ministry and Ministry of Justice, the good intentions committee, the Egyptian ambassador to Ireland and multiple diplomatic missions in Egypt. The Tánaiste contacted the Egyptian foreign minister on this matter as well. I know from speaking to colleagues that Deputy Matt Carthy has also made contact with the Egyptian ambassador. Chris McManus, MEP, has raised the matter in the European Council. All the advice seems to be for Ms Kelly go through the legal system in Egypt.

As the recommendations are to get the advice here, we are happy with the three recommendations put forward. Once we get the legal advice back, we will send it on to the petitioner with a view to bringing her in as a witness some time in the new year.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

That concludes our consideration of public petitions this afternoon. I wish to invite members of the public to submit petitions via our online portal, which is available at . A petition may be addressed to the Houses of the Oireachtas on a matter of general public concern or interest or an issue of public policy.

I wish all members, petitioners and staff a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. I also wish the secretariat all the best for the work they do on our behalf. You make our job very easy.

It is proposed that the committee now adjourns until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 24 January 2024, when we will meet in private session and then until 1.30 p.m. on Thursday, 25 January 2024, when we will meet in public session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I wish those behind the scenes and behind the cameras a happy Christmas. This committee is now adjourned.