Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the current position of a person (details supplied); if he will report on the person's welfare, and consular assistance provided to the person and to the person's family; and if he will report on interactions with the Egyptian authorities. [28378/15]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have had numerous questions here about Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa, who is still in prison in Egypt and has been for almost two years. The Government's response to these questions has always been the same and it is evident that the Government's strategy and approach is not working. Is the Government willing to escalate its calls for Ibrahim's release? Is the Government willing for the Taoiseach to make a call?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has a very clear strategy in place focused on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest opportunity. The strategy is based on two clear objectives, namely, to see the individual released by the Egyptian authorities so he can return to his family and his studies here in Dublin, and to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. Over the past year, I have engaged intensively with the Egyptian authorities, the EU and other international partners at a very high level on the case. I have spoken to my Egyptian counterpart directly on several occasions and raised concerns with him about the length of time our citizen has been in detention without trial or conviction. My officials are in ongoing contact with the Egyptian embassy in Dublin and the Egyptian authorities in Cairo. At the hearing on 3 June, which was attended by Irish officials, a number of defence lawyers requested that no further hearings would take place during the Ramadan period. The judge agreed to this and scheduled the next hearing for 2 August, at which embassy officials will also be present.

The Taoiseach and I last met the individual's family on 4 June in Dublin. At that meeting, we were informed that he had indicated he was considering embarking on a hunger strike. Noting that his welfare was of paramount concern we advised against this course of action, saying it was unlikely to serve any positive purpose in his trial and would be detrimental to his health. Embassy officials visited our citizen last week. During this visit, he informed the officials that he had relaxed his hunger strike somewhat, and it would appear that he is taking fluids and some food. This is a welcome development.

There is no doubt that prisons abroad can be places of fear and intimidation for Irish citizens, and this creates stress and anxiety for the citizens and their families. The welfare of any Irish citizen imprisoned abroad is a matter taken extremely seriously by the Government. Where allegations of mistreatment have been made, my Department has taken the appropriate action. While our citizen remains in detention, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is doing everything it can to protect his welfare, and to ensure prison conditions for him are as good as they can be. Since his arrest in August 2013, the citizen has been visited a total of 42 times by embassy officials. This unprecedented level of consular visitation indicates clearly the priority we continue to place on doing all we can to monitor carefully his welfare in detention, and to advocate strongly on his behalf to the Egyptian authorities.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While I appreciate the consular assistance, the problem is that Mr. Halawa is still in prison, almost two years on. Is it time to try a different strategy than that of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade? Is it not time for the Taoiseach to intervene, as Australian and Canadian Heads of State did in the cases of Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy, respectively, who were consequently released? Could the Minister respond to the suggestion by a human rights lawyer that he was not aware of any formal support by the Irish Government of a request by lawyers in Cairo for the release of Mr. Halawa under a presidential decree? Could the Minister confirm that the Government has sent a formal note of support, or other appropriate means of communication, for the request? Could the Minister respond to the recent allegation by the human rights lawyer, Gráinne Mellon, that Mr. Halawa had been a victim of multiple beatings using whips, chains and sticks while in prison?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government takes any allegations of ill treatment or mistreatment very seriously and will ensure these issues are raised at the highest level. We continue to maintain extensive contacts with the Egyptian authorities and other international partners through the EU and beyond, many of which have had citizens in similar circumstances. On examining other similar cases, it remains very clear that, irrespective of political efforts made by foreign governments, including high-level requests, the other trials were completed before any political consideration of a possible release by the Egyptian authorities took place. The trial of the individual mentioned by Deputy Paul Murphy is ongoing. While we continue to maintain extensive contacts with the Egyptian authorities, including at very high levels, the precedents suggest it is unrealistic to expect any release until the initial trial takes place and is concluded. It is the Government's considered approach-----

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not enough.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is all very fine for Deputy Finian McGrath-----

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not all very fine. There is much credit in what people have said. The man was beaten up recently.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

One speaker please. Deputy, you are out of order.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is nonsense. It is disgraceful. The Minister should turn up the heat. We have been talking about it here for weeks.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy, you have just arrived in the Chamber. Please, do not interrupt.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I retain my view, and if Deputy Finian McGrath wants to engage in correspondence or representations, I will be more than happy to hear from him.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I already have.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have not heard from him. It is the Government's considered approach, supported by decades of diplomatic experience in other cases and extensive consultation with people in other states involved in similar situations, that our current objective remains the release and return home of the citizen to his family here in Dublin.