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

I have not been to Cairo in recent times. However, on my visit to Cairo last year I certainly had an opportunity to raise the issue. As recently as 1 p.m. this afternoon I had the opportunity of direct engagement on the issue. On the specific issue the Deputy raised regarding the international journalist, it is very clear to me from all the contacts I have made and from studying the various documentation that the position of the Egyptian authorities is such that the current trial process must be permitted to take its course before consideration can be given to any application for presidential decree. Any decision is ultimately one for the Egyptian authorities. I assure the Deputy that I have raised the issue on the international stage and will continue to do so. In particular I have raised it with High Representative, Federica Mogherini, high-level persons within the European Parliament and also with the Foreign Ministers of the countries of origin of the journalists to whom the Deputy refers. Every effort will continue to be made until we see this citizen back on Irish soil.

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