Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to express my deep disappointment and concern - the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has already done so - in respect of the further delay in the Ibrahim Halawa case. I wish to assure the House that our ambassador in Egypt was once again present in the court for the hearing and embassy officials have been present for all hearings in this case. Many members of Government including myself have spoken with the Egyptian Foreign Minister. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, and our officials are constantly in touch in advocating on Ibrahim's behalf with the Egyptian authorities. It is very disappointing. I was speaking to the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, yesterday and he had expected that the court case would finally take place today. I will convey the concerns of Deputy Adams to the Minister. He will be outlining further action when he speaks on this issue in the House in the coming days.

There is concern about the particular specialist who has indicated that the contract has ended. The HSE has said that a consultant medical oncologist will be assuming the responsibility for the sarcoma service in St. Vincent's University Hospital and that ongoing care for patients undergoing treatment for sarcoma cancer will not be compromised in any way.

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