Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the support of the Taoiseach and officials in the embassy, is best placed to assess the situation and decide on the best approach in these circumstances. I have every confidence in the ability of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to have the maximum positive impact on the case of Ibrahim Halawa.

As a person who spent a bit of time inside the walls of a prison myself, I recognise the anguish caused to family members. Some people may smile about that but I can tell them that when the door closes for the second time and the double lock rings home, a person recognises they are in prison and that is a shock.

Our hearts go out to Ibrahim Halawa and we are doing everything possible at every level. I have spoken to the Taoiseach on this matter and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I do not accept the idea as expressed in the motion that there is a better way to do it. We are pursuing the better way and that is the way we can bring about the best result for Ibrahim Halawa and his family.