Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that a person (details supplied) has been unjustly imprisoned in Egypt for more than 1,000 days and faces an unfair mass trial; and if he has raised this case with his Egyptian counterpart since his re-appointment. [12272/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Deputy that this case remains a top priority for the Government and the Department. We continue to pursue every constructive avenue to secure the release of this citizen and we will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. The Egyptian Government is fully aware of the priority the Irish Government attaches to this case, and there continues to be, on my part and that of my officials, engagement at all levels with the Egyptian authorities. The key focus of our engagement is to achieve the release of this citizen by the Egyptian authorities at the earliest opportunity and to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.

The Taoiseach has twice met President el-Sisi, making clear the Irish Government’s concerns and objectives in this case. Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2014, I have been in regular contact with my Egyptian counterpart, Minister Shoukry, on the case. Irish Government representatives have worked with this citizen’s legal team in Egypt and supported petitions to the court when asked to do so, including providing formal Government support for an application under Decree 140 and an application for release on bail. We continue to supply significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin to provide a comprehensive consular assistance to the citizen at the heart of this case.

My Department has arranged exceptionally regular and frequent consular visits to the individual in prison since his arrest. The most recent was undertaken by my ambassador, Damien Cole, last month. A further visit is being arranged over the coming weeks.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Ibrahim Halawa has been in jail for 1,013 days. He is living in appalling conditions, with inedible food and is sleeping on a mat. He has no chance of a fair trial and is facing the death penalty. After that length of time, people are asking what can be done differently. He went missing within the prison system in Egypt. Our embassy was misled about his whereabouts. Has a formal complaint been lodged in respect of that matter? Peter Greste, who was a cell mate of Ibrahim Halawa, said that if it was not for the pressure put on politicians and diplomats by his family in Australia, he would still be in prison. He was critical of the Irish Government and said its quiet diplomacy is doing nothing to bring about the release of Ibrahim. Given that 1,013 days have elapsed, is it now time to ratchet up the pressure on the Egyptian authorities? Is there a need for us to put our heads together and come up with a new plan to ensure the release of Ibrahim Halawa?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There are many different suggestions in regard to the action that can be taken in this case. All options for action are kept open by the Government, and we keep these activities under review at all stages. However, I again stress that we are at all times guided by the action that is most likely to achieve positive practical progress for our citizen at the earliest possible opportunity.

Reference was made to other cases, and I wish to record my welcome for those who have been released. Our focus remains firmly on our citizen and his case. I must caution against any over-reliance on the detail relating to other cases being employed as a strict precedent in respect of the operation of the presidential decree. It is important to note that different facts and circumstances apply to each case and it is at times unhelpful to make what I would describe as over-simplistic comparisons. I assure all Members of the House that we will continue to engage positively and actively until such time as we achieve a successful outcome in respect of the case.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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I again refer to the fact that he disappeared within the system. Has a formal complaint been made? The European External Action Service monitors trials in Egypt, yet it is not monitoring the trial of a European citizen. Has it been formally asked to attend a trial? That is something that could be done. We know that there have been communications from the UN calling for bail or unconditional release to be granted to Ibrahim in order to halt the alleged violations that are occurring. Does the Minister endorse such communication? Has he followed up on them with the Egyptian authorities? Ibrahim's next court hearing is on 29 June. We know it will be another mass trial and that Ibrahim has no chance of receiving a fair trial. Does the Minister believe it is likely that we will see a verdict announced for the defendant and sentences handed down on 29 June?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The next hearing of this case is scheduled for 29 June. Embassy officials will be in attendance, as they have been at every hearing over the course of his trial. They will monitor and report on the developments of the day. It is my hope that this matter will be completed in its entirety on that day, although I do not have absolute control over the listing or hearing of court cases in the jurisdiction of Egypt.

I do not believe there is any deliberate intent on the part of the Egyptian authorities to mislead us in regard to the whereabouts of the citizen. There are serious security issues in Egypt. Since the beginning of this year, 48 members of the security forces have been killed and the law and order situation is somewhat challenging and fragile. I ask the House to acknowledge the fact that prison moves are regularly made for operational reasons. Information is never provided in advance in order to ensure the safety and security of prisoners and personnel. I assure the Deputy that I have raised this matter with the ambassador and will continue to raise our concerns about a range of issues relating to this case.