Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will speak for this motion on behalf of the Rural Alliance and I thank the Business Committee for presenting the motion. I also thank the Government for listening, because it has gone past time for us to take action. I thank the Minister, his officials, and the embassy staff and diplomats for all their hard work since the incarceration of Ibrahim Halawa almost 1,000 days ago. While some progress has been made, it seems to be very little. I understand how delicate the negotiations can be, but it is vital that we invoke decree 140 and look for a presidential decree because of the conditions in which this young man is incarcerated, which are appalling by any standards. We get lectures from the international human rights commission on a daily basis about matters involving legislation in this country, some of which are none of their business, but I wonder where they are in this case, in which atrocities are happening.

People have spoken of the invasion of Iraq, the destabilisation of the Middle East and the war in Syria, as well as what is going on in Egypt, and there has been a seismic shift in the region. There has been a cleansing of Christian communities and a loss of civil rights for their own people. We have to look at this. The region was reasonably stable before the invasion and there was protection for different ethnic groups and religions, but there is none now under these regimes. It is very serious and I am glad the Minister has agreed to meet members of the Rural Alliance in the coming weeks to discuss the depravity of this situation. One must remember this young chap and the frustration of his family at home.

I do not agree that if it was an Irish businessman's son it would be very different, as I believe we are dealing with a totally reckless regime which operates with an iron fist. It is difficult to deal with a regime that can keep a person incarcerated for that length of time. We have seen videos and pictures of people being taken out and doused in honey for insects to attack and this is depravity of the highest order. It is not acceptable in any society. We should not go over the top with our reactions, as we know who we are dealing with and we need to have a modicum of balance in our comments, even if we would like to say other things.

I believe a delegation, led by the Ceann Comhairle, will visit and I wish it success. The whole Parliament will be represented but we need to give it impetus. Both Dáil and Seanad Members will be involved to represent the people of Ireland and plea for some semblance of justice, which will be difficult to get. The only justice will involve getting him out of there and home by means of a presidential decree. We have had countless court dates but nothing has happened and they do not seem to be listening to the Irish Government and others. It is our duty and responsibility to leave no stone unturned and to send the highest-level delegation to make our request. We need also to ask our European neighbours to help us out so that the authorities will listen and the young man can be repatriated to his family here in Ireland.

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