Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

714. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify statements made to Dáil Éireann on 14 May 2015 by An Taoiseach, in relation to the case of a person (details supplied), and specifically regarding the charges against this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20231/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

715. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied), given the statements made to Dáil Éireann on 14 May 2015 by An Taoiseach, specifically regarding the charges against this person, and the scheduled hearings on the case; if he has discussed this specific matter with his Egyptian counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20236/15]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 714 and 715 together.

At a hearing of the case in April, Irish Embassy officials in Cairo were informed by this individual’s legal team that not all defendants were facing the same charges and that this individual is among the group of defendants who are not facing the most serious charges. This information was confirmed at a further meeting. As the local lawyers in any consular case are generally best placed to clarify issues relating to local law and the charges being faced by a citizen, this information has been relied upon in good faith.

This is the information which has previously been relayed to the House. However, any charges being faced need to be addressed - the situation is serious and the trial is ongoing.

The Government continues to seek further clarification in respect of the charges and their likely implication.

I discussed the case with my Egyptian counterpart on a number of occasions and we agreed to keep our channels of communication open. Moreover, at official level, my Department remains in ongoing contact with the relevant Egyptian authorities, both in Cairo and through the Embassy of Egypt in Dublin.

My Department has a very clear strategy in place focussed on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible. That strategy is based on two clear objectives: 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.

Since his arrest in August 2013, this citizen has been visited a total of 42 times by Embassy officials. This unprecedented level of consular visitation indicates clearly the priority we are placing on doing all that we can to carefully monitor his welfare in detention, and to advocate strongly on his behalf to the Egyptian authorities.