Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister spoke about being measured. We have to look at the fact that Egyptian human rights organisations have documented at least 124 deaths in custody in the timeframe we are talking about through medical negligence, torture and ill-treatment. We know from his testimony smuggled out of prison that this young Irish man is in danger. In it, he spoke about waking up every morning to the screams of prisoners being tortured. He spoke about sleeping on the floor of his cell, witnessing people being punched, kicked, beaten and slapped, as well as the torture and crucifixion of others. This is a young man at the start of his life. The trauma this experience has already inflicted on him is, undoubtedly, going to last him a lifetime.

There is an urgency about this matter. The fact the Australian Government was able to negotiate the release of one of its citizens should give us a signal as to what more we can do. Will the Minister contact the IFA and her ministerial colleague in agriculture to use their clout much more? Being nice and mindful has not delivered the results yet.

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