Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

349. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade given the postponement of the trial of a person (details supplied) in Egypt, if he will adopt a different approach to the diplomatic pressure being placed on the Egyptian authorities. [35345/15]

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

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.

Any decision to release this individual will ultimately be taken by the Egyptian authorities and given that the trial is ongoing, the Government must exercise restraint in its public comments. However, I can say that the Egyptian authorities are in no doubt about our position and we are keeping channels of communication with them open and sustained. I have raised the case on a number of occasions with my Egyptian counterpart and the Taoiseach discussed it with President Al-Sisi when they met in New York in late September. It is, however, clear that the Egyptian government position remains that the judicial process must be permitted to take its course.

While the further adjournment of the trial on 4 October was a disappointment, the Government's considered view, supported by decades of diplomatic experience in other consular cases and extensive consultation with states which have had citizens in similar circumstances, remains that the firm, measured and sustained diplomatic approach we are taking continues to be our best hope to return this citizen to Ireland at the earliest possible date.

Nonetheless, we continue to review our approach in line with developments and retain the flexibility to adjust it as and when that may be required.