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

One would hope that Saturday will see progress, but we also hoped for progress on earlier dates. It is therefore not unreasonable for people not to have too many illusions about the Egyptian courts system. The Egyptian authorities argue that before law 140 can be applied, the case must first be finished and a conviction or otherwise occur. That does not seem to be accurate, however. It was not accurate in the case of Peter Greste. It is a facility whereby someone facing trial, who is from a different jurisdiction, can be transferred to that jurisdiction to face their trial there.

It is correct that the Irish Government cannot wave a magic wand and get Ibrahim Halawa out of prison. However, the Government could be louder and clearer in its outrage over what is happening, as well as trying to add international pressure. In that respect, I welcome the resolution that will hopefully be passed at the European Parliament today. It clearly expresses deep concern at the unacceptable breach of basic human rights arising from the arbitrary detention of Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa, and calls on the Egyptian authorities to release him, immediately and unconditionally, to the Irish authorities.

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