Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that the Government continues to pursue every constructive avenue to achieve the citizen's return to Ireland and we will continue to bring our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. I have spoken to a number of my EU colleagues on this issue and, as I said in my initial reply, on the previous occasion, which was last week, I spoke directly to EU High Representative Mogherini on the matter.

This case continues to receive the attention of the Government at the highest level, having regard to the fact that the Taoiseach has again been in direct contact with President el-Sisi of Egypt about the case, as indeed he has on numerous occasions. He met the Egyptian President face to face twice to discuss the case and he has spoken to him by telephone on a number of occasions. He has also has communicated with him in writing on several occasions. In all of those contacts, the Taoiseach has underlined our concerns about the continuing detention of this young man who has been in prison for three and a half years without having been convicted of any offence and who is part of a group trial that has been adjourned on many occasions. Our key focus continues to be acting in the best interests of the citizen. We are working to have him released by the Egyptian authorities and we look forward to that happening.

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