Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the question of the feis, as it is important. Senator Norris has left. Reverting to the matter of Ibrahim Halawa, I apologise to the committee if it appears that I am taking an inordinate amount of time with this, but it is a serious issue. It appears in the newspapers on a daily basis. It is an issue to which much political consideration has been given in recent times. Regarding Senator Daly's comments on the charges, there is no question of the Taoiseach having misled the Dáil. When reading reports or listening to comments from Members of these Houses, I resent that I must form the view that there may be an element of political partisanship. I reiterate the fact that we are all working with the same objective, namely, seeking the return home of an Irish citizen.

To address the matter of the charges, during the trial hearing on 26 April, a lawyer acting on behalf of Ibrahim Halawa told our embassy officials that Mr. Halawa was facing different and lesser charges than other defendants in the case. The Department wished to confirm this, given its importance. A subsequent meeting was organised with Mr. Halawa's legal team for 20 May. At that, it was confirmed to the embassy that the most serious charges applied to some members of the group were not applicable to Ibrahim Halawa. This came from his lawyers. In respect-----