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

I accept the bona fides of the Government and the Minister that they want to see a positive outcome to this case. I also accept that Ibrahim Halawa is facing a trial in a judicial system in another country. It is also a fact that it is not possible for him to receive a fair trial, to reasonably prepare for his defence, in a situation where he faces a mass trial with almost 500 people and where, despite some misinformation from the embassy, he potentially faces the death penalty. Is it not necessary for the Government to extremely loudly add its voice to demand the immediate, unconditional release of Ibrahim Halawa and, as a mechanism for doing so, to either make a formal request for a presidential decree under Egyptian law 140 or formally support the family’s application, as was done in the case of Peter Greste?

As regards the presidential decree, law 140, I wish to assure the Deputy and the House that the Government has formally supported an application made by the citizen's Egyptian legal team for his return to Ireland under presidential decree. This was done by way of a formal diplomatic note sent by Ireland's embassy in Cairo to the Egyptian ministry of foreign affairs as far back as last February.

This specific issue has also been the subject matter of discussions both by the Taoiseach and myself with our Egyptian counterparts. However, it is clear from all of the contacts made with the Egyptian authorities that it is their position that the current trial process must be permitted to take its course before consideration could be given to the application of the law in respect of the presidential decree.

Any decision to release this citizen will ultimately be taken by the Egyptian authorities. I would remind the Deputy that the trial is ongoing and the return date is next Saturday. Every effort is being made by my officials and myself to ensure that while this citizen remains in detention in Egypt, his welfare is given priority. We hope that Saturday next will see progress on the matter of this long outstanding trial.

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