Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

4 o’clock

This long-running and complex consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and substantial resources and time are being devoted to it not only by myself, but by the Taoiseach, Ministers, officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs, by our ambassador and his team in Cairo, and the entire Irish diplomatic network. Last Monday, the Taoiseach renewed his appeal to the Egyptian President to release its Irish citizen and return him to Ireland without delay. This is the Government’s objective, and we are working day in and day out to seek to secure that outcome.

lbrahim Halawa was back in court today for the latest hearing in the case in which he is a defendant along with more than 400 other accused persons. Our embassy officials were at the court to observe proceedings, as they have been at every hearing in the case to date and before coming to the Chamber, I received a report on the case. Some progress was made today as 11 more witnesses gave evidence. At the end of the hearing, Ibrahim's lawyers requested his release on medical grounds and the judge undertook to examine the matter. I very much welcome that development. The next hearing in the case will take place on 26 April.

My Government colleagues and I have been disappointed and frustrated by the slow progress in the court case. Recent hearings, however, have generally been more substantive, with witnesses called and cross-examined, giving rise to cautious optimism that the trial may now, at last, be moving towards a conclusion. This is crucially important because, as Deputies will be aware, particularly those who visited Cairo earlier in the year, the Egyptian authorities have consistently said that they cannot intervene in a matter that is before the courts, and that this issue can only be resolved after the trial concludes.

This complex and sensitive consular case has been a priority matter for me since my appointment as Minister. No stone has been left unturned by the Government and our diplomatic service in our efforts to secure Ibrahim's release and his return to Ireland to his family and, indeed, to resume his studies. Our embassy in Cairo has dedicated exceptional work to this case with an unprecedented number of prison visits to ensure his health and welfare is monitored and that any concerns are immediately followed up in an appropriate and proper manner. Reports about lbrahim Halawa's health are a matter of the utmost concern for me and my Government colleagues. In light of these concerns the Government took the unprecedented step last week of making arrangements for an Irish medical doctor, nominated by the Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, to visit Ibrahim in prison and to undertake an assessment of his health. The doctor also had an opportunity to speak with Ibrahim at length. The Egyptian authorities have a clear responsibility to ensure the health and welfare of Ibrahim Halawa. The Government and the Department have consistently underlined this in all contacts with Egyptian interlocutors. Ireland's embassy in Cairo is maintaining ongoing contact with the Egyptian authorities on issues relating to Ibrahim’s welfare and health.

I have raised these issues repeatedly with Egyptian counterparts, including in a further recent face-to-face meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry. I am concerned at persistent reports that lbrahim Halawa is on hunger strike. I urge him in the strongest terms not to pursue such a course of action, and to protect his health in every way. I also urge all parties who are in contact with him or who have influence with him to dissuade him from any actions that would be detrimental to his health. In this regard, I welcome Deputy O'Brien's comments. The Department maintains open lines of communication with the Halawa family and has been keeping family members fully informed of all developments and updates received from the Egyptian authorities. The most recent face-to-face meeting between family representatives and officers from the Department was on Monday, 3 April. I assure the House that we will continue to keep pressure on Egypt until we see the release and return home of Ibrahim Halawa.

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