Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to assure both Deputies that we will continue to use all our influence in this matter in order to secure the objective, which is the release of the individual in question. I am pleased to note that is the considered view of everybody in this House. It is important that we all work together on this issue.

I acknowledge that there have been many different views and suggestions for action on this case. We will keep all possibilities for action under constant legal review. In this regard, Deputy Darragh O'Brien mentioned 29 June as the date of the next hearing. I wish to assure the House that embassy officials will be in attendance, as they have been at each and every hearing.

At the last hearing in March there was a clear indication by the court clerk that the next hearing, on 29 June, would be the final one and that the court would give its verdict on that date. Given the specific nature of the Egyptian system, I would caution against any undue expectations in this regard. However, I wish to assure the House that once these proceedings have been concluded, the Government stands ready to take all appropriate action, at the political and diplomatic levels, in order to secure a resolution to this case.

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