Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the programme for Government and the legislation, I was concerned about some reports over the past fortnight. The Government made a decision to send an independent Irish medical doctor to Cairo to talk to and carry out a medical assessment on Ibrahim Halawa. That happened.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has been to Cairo on three occasions already. He was to speak to the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shoukry, last week, but that meeting did not happen because he was held up in Washington on Middle East business. The Egyptian authorities were more than willing to assist in this matter.

While this might not be a normal intervention, it was done because of the comments in respect of Ibrahim Halawa's health. The Government arranged for an Irish doctor nominated by the chief medical officer to go to Cairo last week. He participated in a consular visit to Ibrahim Halawa at the Wadi el-Natrun prison on 29 March with the ambassador. He was there for four hours. They met Ibrahim Halawa for an hour and a half. The doctor observed a medical examination of Ibrahim Halawa carried out by an Egyptian doctor. It is not appropriate for me or any other Government spokesperson to reveal or comment on the details of Ibrahim Halawa's health condition. As the Deputy knows, these matters are private and confidential. However, I can say the Irish doctor, who is a GP, recommended that specialist medical evaluations take place and that Ibrahim Halawa be returned to Ireland for such assessments and on humanitarian grounds.

Last evening I sent another urgent letter to President el-Sisi on the basis that he be released on humanitarian grounds. The case is due to go to court tomorrow. The Egyptian President has been quite clear and very consistent all along that he can only use his presidential powers of pardon after a court case has actually taken place.

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