Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue.

Mr. Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen, and his three sisters were detained following incidents at the Al Fateh Mosque on Ramses Square in Cairo on 17 August 2013. His sisters were later released, but he remains in detention. His case is a source of concern for me, as I know it is for the Senator and many others. From my first day in office, I have taken an active role in progressing matters. In my first week in office I spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry to set out my concerns about Mr. Halawa's detention. I have spoken to him on a number of other occasions, including twice in person, to stress the fact that Mr. Halawa was only 17 years old at the time of the alleged offences and ask for his release in order that he might return to his studies and family in Ireland.

Senior officials in Dublin and Cairo have been in ongoing and sustained contact with the Egyptian authorities, including senior officials at the foreign ministry, the Ministry of Justice and the office of the prosecutor general. Mr. Halawa has received 34 consular visits from Irish Embassy staff, including Ambassador Moylan, approximately one visit every two weeks, the most recent being on 7 February. It is the Government's view that he should not be tried in a group trial involving a large number of defendants and on the basis of group charges but solely on the basis of specific evidence. The concern is that the Egyptian authorities continue to consider his case to be part of a group trial, but the fact remains that he was only 17 years old when the alleged offences took place.

I also recently raised the case with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mogherini who undertook to raise it with the appropriate authorities.

She stressed that we can count on all the assistance that the EU institutions can provide. I am concerned that, for the fourth time, this trial was once again delayed on 8 February. The trial is now scheduled to take place on 29 March.

I have maintained ongoing contact with the Halawa family since August 2013. My understanding is that senior officials have been in regular contact as I have been. I am due

The Egyptian President has issued a decree in respect of foreign nationals in Egypt who have been sentenced, or who are awaiting trial. I am aware of the recent deportation from Egypt of the Australian Al Jazeera journalist. However, there are few, if any, details available as to the exact scope and practical operation of the decree.

In particular it is unclear what the decree may mean in practice for those whom Egypt regards as dual nationals, as is the case for Ibrahim Halawa. Officials in my Department remain in ongoing contact with the lawyers in the case and continue to highlight his Irish citizenship and to seek further information from the Egyptian authorities about

Ireland will continue to seek a review of Ibrahim Halawa's case, his release and return to his studies and his family and, in the meantime, to provide all possible consular assistance