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

Our objectives in this case are clear - first, to see the release of this individual by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return home to his family and his studies in Dublin and second, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. This considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by me and my officials in this case has been to further these objectives at all times and to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests. It is important to bear in mind the role of the Irish Government where citizens are imprisoned abroad. Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any arrest abroad, the reality is that where an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail and release. The decision to release this individual, either on bail or on any other basis, will be a decision that is made solely by the authorities in Cairo. Since this citizen was originally detained in August 2013, I and officials in my Department, including our ambassador in Cairo, have raised this case with the Egyptian authorities regularly and consistently. In addition, he has received consular visits from embassy official on 37 occasions to date. I can confirm that the Irish Government has formally supported both the application by this citizen’s lawyers for his release and return to Ireland under the November presidential decree and the more recent application for his release on bail. Our official support for this citizen’s release has been duly communicated to the authorities in Cairo in formal diplomatic notes that have been included in the documentation submitted to the court and the authorities by his lawyer.

I have spoken to my Egyptian counterpart on numerous occasions, both in person and on the telephone. On 4 March I met with Assistant Foreign Minister Badr and discussed the case with him in some detail.

On 2 April I spoke again with my Egyptian counterpart, Mr. Shoukry, to underline the Irish Government’s commitment regarding the formal applications that have been made for this individual’s release.

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