Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to join everybody in the House who is pushing for Ibrahim Halawa's release and congratulate Deputy Martin for taking this initiative and unifying the House. We have had differences of opinion, but they are only marginal, because we are united by one thing - that is, the need to get Ibrahim out as soon as possible.

It is a horrific story. In Irish terms it is almost unbelievable that someone should be held for three years without trial for simply protesting, as far as we know, at the age of 17. It is alien to us that something like this should happen in the civilised world.

I commend all those who have contributed to the debate. I commend the fact that the Irish Government has consistently taken this case seriously and that representations have been made consistently, so far without success. Some of the suggestions have merit. The idea of sending a full parliamentary delegation from all parties to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, is a good one. Many of us who are speaking in this debate would be happy and willing to be part of that because it would send a clear message to the Egyptian Government that this nation and its parliamentarians are united behind what we regard as a denial of justice for someone who is an innocent citizen.

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