Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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453. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the prohibition of peaceful demonstrations in France and the measures taken by the police authorities to break up peaceful demonstrations; if he has raised any concerns regarding the matter with the French authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43717/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Following the horrific attacks of 13 November in Paris in which 129 people were killed, and more than 350 injured, President François Hollande declared a State of Emergency. On 19 November the French Parliament, definitively adopted the three-month extension and expansion of the State of emergency. The French Government decided that in order to avert possible further terrorist attacks, and to protect public safety, some restrictions on demonstrations and public gatherings were necessary. While such restrictions are a serious matter in any society, the terrible circumstances which gave rise to them has to be taken into consideration. Every government has a responsibility to balance the duty to protect its citizens with their entitlement to freedom of assembly. I have no doubt that the French Government is fully sensitised to the need for such balance.

Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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454. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an Irish citizen imprisoned abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43806/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a clear strategy in this case which is focused on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible for this citizen. That strategy is based on two key objectives: Firstly, to see this citizen 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. In furtherance of these objectives, I have intensively engaged with the Egyptian authorities, including the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, and with EU and international partners, including High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini. The Taoiseach also raised the case in person on two occasions with Egyptian President al-Sisi. The information we receive from all of these contacts is carefully considered and used in reviewing our approach to this case on a constant basis.

Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both the citizen and their family. I would also note that Embassy officials visited this citizen in detention for the forty-eight time on 23 November.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to accord a high priority to this case and our approach is guided at all times by the two key objectives set out above.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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455. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance given to a person (details supplied) who is currently detained in Egypt awaiting trial. [43926/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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This citizen and his family have been the recipients of comprehensive consular assistance from my Department and the individual in detention has been visited on forty-eight occasions by Embassy officials, most recently on 23 November. Numerous positive interventions have been made with the Egyptian authorities on his behalf. The Embassy has also attended all his trial hearings to date, and they will also attend the next one later in December.