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

I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, for coming to the House to discuss this issue, which I also raised yesterday on the Order of Business, namely, the continued detention of Ibrahim Halawa in Egypt without any sign that his trial will be finalised. In early January, I joined a delegation led by the Ceann Comhairle which visited Ibrahim Halawa in prison in Egypt. At that time, Mr. Halawa had been going on and off hunger strike. All members of the delegation strongly advised him not to do so but his actions in this regard were born of despair.

I thank and commend our ambassador to Egypt, Damien Cole, and his team in Cairo on the work they are doing. I also commend the Minister and his staff on their efforts. This is a humanitarian rather than political issue on which all of us must work together to achieve a resolution.

I am concerned for Ibrahim Halawa, a young man who has spent more than three years in prison and whose trials has been delayed or adjourned 20 times. Mr. Halawa's trial is due to recommence on 6 April. I have learned from contact with his family that his physical and mental health are deteriorating. I hope the Minister is in a position to provide an update on his health without breaching confidence. I understand an independent medical assessment of his condition was carried out by an Irish doctor with the assistance of the Department. While we were in Cairo, a doctor visited Mr. Halawa and carried out some rudimentary tests and we requested that an electrocardiogram be performed. I ask the Minister to provide an update on what action is being taken in this case. I also urge the Government to insist to the Egyptian authorities that Mr. Halawa is released on humanitarian grounds without further delay.

See this speech in context