Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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39. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department engaged in negotiations, consultations, exploratory talks or other communications since 1 August 2013 on trade missions to Egypt; and if these took human rights violations into account, particularly concerning a person (details supplied). [15631/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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This question relates to our trade and business links with Egypt. What consideration, in terms of any of those arrangements, has been given to human rights violations, particularly over the past three years during the incarceration of an Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa? What role is this playing in those deliberations because it should be an incredibly strong one?

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not been involved in any discussions since 1 August 2013 in regard to trade missions to Egypt.

I am concerned about and personally sympathetic to, as well as moved by, what has happened to Ibrahim Halawa. While I am not happy he is incarcerated, the judicial process works differently in Egypt than it does in Ireland or in many other countries.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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Yes, with mass trials.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Everything is being done diplomatically for Ibrahim Halawa. For example, various submissions have been made to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade by different lawyers and non-governmental organisations. At all times, the key question guiding our approach is what stands the best chance of securing positive progress for Ibrahim Halawa at the earliest possible opportunity. The Government has been in contact with other states which have had citizens in similar situations. It is the Government's considered approach, supported by decades of diplomatic experience and extensive consultation with these states, that our diplomatic efforts still represent the best means of achieving the twin goals of protecting Ibrahim Halawa's welfare and securing his release at the earliest opportunity.

His next hearing is scheduled for 29 June. Embassy officials will be in attendance, as they have been at every hearing of his trial, to monitor and to report on developments on the day. There has been frequent and ongoing communication with his family members through our embassy in Cairo and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade headquarters in Dublin.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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I am aware most of the business links are in an agricultural format. The heart of this issue is that we have to use whatever economic clout we have to put manners on or to influence authorities in other regimes where there are human rights violations. Not to do so would place profit over people.

The feeling was articulated clearly by the Australian captive who shared a cell with Ibrahim Halawa, Peter Greste, who said the Australian Government had lobbied forcibly for his release. The softly-softly approach of the Irish Government has not been sufficient. We should be pulling out the stops in terms of our agricultural dealings or whatever because it is not a different judicial process. It is a system of mass imprisonment, torture and appalling human rights violations in a completely undemocratic and unaccountable regime. We have to do more in this regard.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Our priority is to see that Ibrahim Halawa is returned to his family and that he can continue his studies. We want to provide every possible consular support for his welfare where he remains in detention. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has been in regular contact with his Egyptian ministerial counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, and the Taoiseach has twice met with the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, making clear the Irish Government's concerns and objectives in this case.

Given that the trial is ongoing, the Government must remain measured and responsible in its public comments. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases. While our objectives are clear, I too, along with Deputy Clare Daly and all decent Irish people, want to see Ibrahim Halawa released.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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The Minister spoke about being measured. We have to look at the fact that Egyptian human rights organisations have documented at least 124 deaths in custody in the timeframe we are talking about through medical negligence, torture and ill-treatment. We know from his testimony smuggled out of prison that this young Irish man is in danger. In it, he spoke about waking up every morning to the screams of prisoners being tortured. He spoke about sleeping on the floor of his cell, witnessing people being punched, kicked, beaten and slapped, as well as the torture and crucifixion of others. This is a young man at the start of his life. The trauma this experience has already inflicted on him is, undoubtedly, going to last him a lifetime.

There is an urgency about this matter. The fact the Australian Government was able to negotiate the release of one of its citizens should give us a signal as to what more we can do. Will the Minister contact the IFA and her ministerial colleague in agriculture to use their clout much more? Being nice and mindful has not delivered the results yet.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Government will continue to be measured in its approach. That is the best consular advice we have received. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has regular contact with his Egyptian counterparts while our Taoiseach has met with the Egyptian President on two occasions. We will continue to do our best to ensure the earliest possible release for Ibrahim Halawa.