Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are a number of direct channels between my Department and the Halawa family and also the lawyers and other interested parties that will be pursued. I am, however, very concerned at persistent reports that the citizen in question is not taking food and may be pursuing a hunger strike. I stress that such a course of action should not be pursued as it will only be damaging to his well-being, health and cause. He should look after his health by eating properly and co-operating with medical tests and investigations that are from time to time arranged on his behalf. Reports about his health are a matter of the utmost concern for both my Government colleagues and me. In the light of those concerns we took the unprecedented step last month of making arrangements for an Irish doctor to be nominated by the chief medical officer to visit him in prison to make an assessment of his health and the matter is the subject of ongoing attention.

See this speech in context