Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I want to put on record the support of the Social Democrats for this initiative and the motion before the House. We all accept it is an outrage that a 17 year old Irish citizen, having visited Cairo with family members and participated in political protest, should find himself arrested, incarcerated and held in the most appalling conditions for the past three years. It is impossible for us to comprehend fully what that experience must be like for Ibrahim, and it is impossible to understand the full extent of the anguish and trauma his family must be feeling.

Undoubtedly, it is time to step up official efforts. We fully support the proposals before us to call in the Egyptian ambassador, appoint a delegation to travel to Cairo to speak on our behalf and, if necessary, consider the prospect of trade sanctions if that is what is required to ensure the release and a presidential pardon for this Irish citizen. We need to act urgently.

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