Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action his Department is taking to secure the release of a person (details supplied). [31811/16]

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the presidential decree of law 140 was submitted again for a person (details supplied) in August 2016 and that there is limited time this decree can remain effective; if he will put adequate pressure on the Egyptian Government to ensure the person can be released as many inmates have recently received a presidential pardon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30281/16]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of recent efforts to secure the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31817/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's plans in view of the most recent and fifteenth postponement of a person's trial in Egypt (details supplied); his views on whether previous attempts to resolve the case need to be amended and a new strategy adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30284/16]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Ceann Comhairle will be aware of the motions that were brought before the Dáil and Seanad calling for the release of Ibrahim Halawa. I am particularly interested in hearing an update from the Minister on what the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is doing to help secure his release, given Mr. Halawa is approaching his 21st birthday, having been imprisoned without trial for more than three and a half years since his arrest at age 17 and that under Egyptian law, as a minor he would be not be detained after two years in any event. I am keen to hear what the Minister has to say about the latest developments.

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 31, 47 and 64 together.

I assure the House that the consular case of this citizen remains a top priority. The Government continues to apply maximum pressure to the Egyptian Government as a means of working to achieve this citizen's return home to Ireland at the earliest possible time and to provide all consular care possible to him while he remains in prison. Our immediate and ongoing efforts are focused on pressing the case with the Egyptian authorities for a positive response to the application made in August under presidential decree No. 140. In this regard, I acknowledge the position of the House, in particular the initiative of the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Eamon Ryan and others to ensure that this case continues to be pressed. I have been in regular contact with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Shoukry, on this case. On 24 September, I met with Minister Shoukry in New York where I again stressed my concerns at the repeated delays in court proceedings and reinforced the Government's support for the decree No. 140 application. This was the latest in a series of contacts which included also my visit to Cairo in June.

The Taoiseach has also been in direct contact with President el-Sisi to underline his personal support and that of the Government for the pending presidential decree No. 140 application. As has been previously reported to the Oireachtas, the Taoiseach has met face to face, spoken by phone and exchanged written correspondence on this case with President el-Sisi on a number of occasions. In all our respective contacts, the Taoiseach and I have consistently underlined the Government’s concerns about the continuing detention of this young man who has been in prison for over three years now without having been convicted of any crime and who is part of a group trial that has been adjourned on a number of occasions. The Taoiseach and I will remain engaged with the Egyptian Government. We will sustain our determined efforts to see him released by the Egyptian authorities at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, of course, my Department will continue to provide consular support for his health and welfare while he remains in detention.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the update. Is it possible for the Minister to give any further indication as to the discussions with his counterpart, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, in New York in September? I realise that a decree No. 140 applications is one of the few ways in which the political system might be able to have an influence in this area. Did the Minister have any sense from talking to the Egyptian Foreign Minister or did the Taoiseach get any sense from discussions with President el-Sisi whether that is a viable path? There is hope that it might lead to the release of the individual in this case. If that is not the case or if it is not successful, what other mechanisms or diplomatic pressures is the Minister willing to apply to secure the release of the Irish citizen in this case?

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

As I advised the House on previous occasions, our approach is under continuous review. It is informed and shaped by, inter alia, co-ordination and dialogue with the legal representatives of the citizen and his family members and my discussions with Members of the House. We also rely on the experience and expertise of our departmental officials and our consultations with other states which had citizens in similar situations as well as the advice of legal and human rights experts on the international stage. The circumstances have somewhat changed now because presidential decree No. 140 has been invoked. I expressed my serious disappointment that a recent hearing date did not give rise to either a court hearing much less a satisfactory conclusion or any conclusion. I understand the due date is now 12 November and I will be in contact with the authorities prior to that date. We are making every effort politically and diplomatically to provide for the health and welfare of the young man while in custody as well as to ensure that the court regime is such that the judge and judicial process are in a position to advance matters on 12 November.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I understand that it may be possible for a visit from the Oireachtas to take place in Egypt to consider a wide range of relations between Egypt and Ireland as well as to visit Ibrahim. I would be keen to hear whether the Minister thinks that might be a useful part of the diplomatic process in which he is engaged. In general, how is this case affecting diplomatic relations, trade discussions and other relations with the Egyptian Government? At what point does it start to interfere in those relations? Is that something the Minister takes into account in this process or is it being treated as a completely separate case and do our relations with the Egyptian state continue regardless of the outcome or effect of discussions on this issue?

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

Any visit by Members of the House is entirely a matter for the House. I have an expectation that an appropriate judgment will be made in that regard. I repeat my disappointment that the hearing date of 2 October was not fulfilled. It has now been confirmed to me that the hearing has been rescheduled for 12 November. On Sunday, 2 October, the date of the council hearing, I spoke directly with Egypt's ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Soha Gendi. I expressed my concern about the further delay in the case and once again underlined the strong desire on the part of the Government and everybody in the House, having regard to the resolutions adopted by it, to see this citizen returned to Ireland at the earliest opportunity.