Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. There is a strange irony in the similarity of the cases of Tony Taylor and Ibrahim Halawa. People were justifiably outraged by occurrences in the latter case such as court dates being cancelled, the accused having no clue as to the charges against him and both he and his legal team being left in the dark. That is exactly what is happening on this island to Tony Taylor and his legal representatives. It is setting an incredibly worrying precedent which is adding to political instability in Northern Ireland at a time when some dissident groups have renounced violence and committed to peace. It is undermining that process. It is the continuance of a non-transparent quasi-judicial legal system which involves gross violations of human rights and should be consigned to history.

4 o’clock

I am glad the Tánaiste notes the particular concern and I hope he will raise it, not just with the British authorities but also with his EU counterparts to try to make the British Government sees sense in terms of an early hearing on this issue.

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