Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The issue is being seriously addressed. The problem is that the international framework for dealing with abduction cases is The Hague Convention to which, unfortunately, Egypt is not a party. As such, we have to operate bilaterally with Egypt on the issue. As I said, I have previously raised this case with Egyptian Ministers for Foreign Affairs, as did my predecessor, Deputy Martin.

The Deputy will be aware that there have been many changes in the political environment in Egypt. I felt it would be best to talk directly to the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, who has only relatively recently been appointed, requesting that he take a direct interest in this case. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, has also written to this counterpart requesting that, in the absence of Egypt signing up to The Hague Convention, a bilateral arrangement be put in place between Ireland and Egypt in relation to child abduction. As the Deputy knows, the wheels in terms of dealing with issues internationally, move very slowly. I understand that the child's mother and family want the child returned as soon as possible. I know they have travelled to Egypt and that those visits were not successful in terms of getting the child returned.

The Government will continue to do everything it possibly can. As I said earlier, I spoke to the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs on Monday and will be following up with him on the matter and will keep the family informed.

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