Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue and for providing me with an opportunity to update the House on what is a priority consular case in my Department. I assure Members that the Government continues to do everything it can to ensure the authorities in Egypt are in absolutely no doubt about our determination to see this young man returned to his home and family. There is no question of the Government or, indeed, this House forgetting about or neglecting the welfare and health of our citizen. It is my solemn duty as Minister to be responsible for the health and welfare of our citizens abroad. No consular case is receiving the type of engagement Ibrahim Halawa's case is.

However, the Egyptian authorities continue to detain our citizen, and only they can make a decision to facilitate his return home. I assure the Deputies that we will continue at every level to do everything possible and appropriate to apply pressure on Cairo on behalf of our citizen and also through our contacts with international colleagues and the EU. Only last Monday, I addressed this issue with EU High Representative Mogherini and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Aboul-Gheit. Our embassy will continue to follow up thoroughly on all the issues to ensure Ibrahim's health and welfare are looked after. I reiterate my appeal to him to take food and nourishment. I assure the House we are active on the matter of the independent medical report which was undertaken, received and is now being acted upon at the highest level.

In response to Deputy O'Brien, I expect over the next few days to have a further conversation with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Shoukry. In the meantime, the Government continues to provide extensive consular support in the case. I wish to again underline the fact that the Department remains in close contact with both the Halawa family and the citizen's legal representatives.

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