Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which his Department and embassy officials continue to liaise with the Egyptian authorities with a view to bringing about the early release of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who has never held any other citizenship, having particular regard to recent positive developments in the area, with regard to other nationalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I remain deeply concerned at this individual’s continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials in both Dublin and in our Embassy in Cairo remain in ongoing contact with the Egyptian authorities on this case. From my first day in office, I have taken an active role in this case and indeed in my first week in office I spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry setting out my concerns.

I have spoken to FM Shoukry on a number of further occasions, stressing that the individual was only 17 at the time of the alleged offences and asking for the case to be reviewed, so that he may be released and can return to his studies and his family. I have also raised the matter with HRVP Mogherini who assured me of the ongoing assistance which the EU institutions can provide. I have met the individual’s family on a number of occasions, most recently on 12 February.

We are monitoring all developments closely. This is a difficult case involving a foreign legal system and the judicial processes of another state in which we cannot interfere. However, I wish to assure the deputy of my ongoing commitment to the welfare of this young Irish citizen.

I wish also to assure the deputy that officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Dublin and in Cairo, are also in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and will continue to work actively towards the achievement of a positive outcome to this case while continuing to offer full consular support to this Irish citizen.