Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To back up Deputy Boyd Barrett, I was on a Dáil delegation in January along with Deputy Howlin and others to visit Ibrahim. I call on the Government to send the Minister for Foreign Affairs to Egypt on a humanitarian basis to seek his release. Our understanding from the independent medical examination is that his health has deteriorated gravely.

3 o’clock

The core objective of any Government and, in particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is to protect the welfare and safety of its citizens. I urge the Taoiseach to send the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, and whoever else is required, to urge the Egyptian Government even to release Ibrahim Halawa on bail under house arrest. This young man has been on and off hunger strike since November. He is a decent young guy for whom I and others can personally vouch.

See this speech in context