Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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216. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he sought at the European Council meeting in December 2014 that the issue of the detention of a person (details supplied) be raised with the Egyptian authorities. [15212/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s objectives in this case are clear. Firstly to see this individual released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by me and my officials in this case has been to further these key objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests.

While individual consular matters would not generally be on the agenda at the European Council, I am in ongoing contact with European colleagues in relation to this case. I have discussed it with HRVP Mogherini on numerous occasions, most recently last week, and she continues to assure me of the support of the EU for our position.

I, and my Department, remain in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and will continue to offer full consular support.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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217. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he requested the European Council at its meeting in December 2014 to make representations to the Egyptian Government for the release of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who has been designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. [15231/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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This is a repeat of the reply I gave to Question No. 216. The Government’s objectives in this case are clear. Firstly to see this individual released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by me and my officials in this case has been to further these key objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests.

While individual consular matters would not generally be on the agenda at the European Council, I am in ongoing contact with European colleagues in relation to this case. I have discussed it with HRVP Mogherini on numerous occasions, most recently last week, and she continues to assure me of the support of the EU for our position.

I, and my Department, remain in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and will continue to offer full consular support.