Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Zappone's call for the release of Ibrahim Halawa. It has got to a stage now where everyone in Ireland supports that call, which has been made by many politicians. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears, however. I wish the House to be aware that Seán Kelly, MEP, will table a motion in the European Parliament this week proposing a resolution calling for Mr. Halawa's release. The proposed resolution cites article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which considers that everyone is entitled, in full equality, to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in the determination of his or her rights. Ibrahim Halawa has not got that but he deserves it. Hopefully, the European Parliament will pass the resolution this week and be listened to. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, is blue in the face going back and forth trying to resolve this matter. Led by the Minister, the Government made representations only this month. The EU-level resolution aims to further strengthen our calls for fairness and a resolution. Only two weeks ago, Seán Kelly, MEP, welcomed Egypt's facilitation of consular access which Mr. Halawa did not have to that time. He was denied even that much. He now has consular access to the Irish Government and access to his own legal representation. His family lives very close to me in Firhouse. I support Senator Zappone's call, which I know is not the first of its kind. Hopefully, it will be the last and Seán Kelly, MEP, will be listened to in the European Parliament and things will work out from there.