Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What we do know about this situation is that an Irish citizen was arrested while still a minor. He has been imprisoned for three years without trial. He has been subjected to serious human rights abuse. Ireland, I am sure, has made efforts at a diplomatic level, but whatever approach is being taken, if it has not worked in three years then it just is not working. Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results is sometimes described as insanity.

We are talking about a brutal dictatorship. Why in God's name did we just sign a cattle deal with them last year? That sends them a signal that we do not really care that much. The Government introduced sanctions against Russia over Ukraine. There were 47 heads cut off in Saudi Arabia earlier this year and we expressed concern about it, but we did not touch the trade relations. We leave the Israelis alone no matter how many children they kill in Gaza.

We make these decisions and people are aware of them. They know what we do and how we feel about things. I am sure the Russians were unhappy that we agreed with trade sanctions against them and I am sure the Egyptians are very happy that we have not been part of any such measure. The Americans cut off their annual military aid for two years, which had been worth €3 billion to them. Then they renewed it again saying, "All is grand."

This is a rotten, brutal dictatorship. How can one talk about justice in Egypt when there is no justice for ordinary people? I am sure huge efforts have been made at a certain level but the softly, softly approach is not working. Is it possible for us to take a different turn? How badly do we want Ibrahim Halawa to be treated fairly? How badly do we care? If this young fellow was the son of a wealthy Irish business family, would he still be in prison in Egypt?

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