Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

While I appreciate the consular assistance, the problem is that Mr. Halawa is still in prison, almost two years on. Is it time to try a different strategy than that of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade? Is it not time for the Taoiseach to intervene, as Australian and Canadian Heads of State did in the cases of Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy, respectively, who were consequently released? Could the Minister respond to the suggestion by a human rights lawyer that he was not aware of any formal support by the Irish Government of a request by lawyers in Cairo for the release of Mr. Halawa under a presidential decree? Could the Minister confirm that the Government has sent a formal note of support, or other appropriate means of communication, for the request? Could the Minister respond to the recent allegation by the human rights lawyer, Gráinne Mellon, that Mr. Halawa had been a victim of multiple beatings using whips, chains and sticks while in prison?

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