Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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491. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he continues to liaise with the authorities in Egypt on the early release of an Irish citizen (details supplied) awaiting trial there; if he continues to pursue all avenues to bringing about a satisfactory conclusion from this person's point of view; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45671/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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492. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken and continues to take to liaise with the authorities in Egypt to bring about the early release of an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained there for a number of years; if the manner and method of detention is in accordance with international law; the action likely to follow in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45672/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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512. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to pursue with the authorities in Egypt the ongoing detention and postponement of the trial of an Irish citizen (details supplied); if he will seek assurances from the Egyptian authorities that due process in accordance with international law will follow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45717/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 491, 492 and 512 together.

My Department 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: first, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, second, 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 consular assistance to both the citizen and their family. I would also note that Embassy officials visited this citizen in detention for the forty-eighth time on 23 November.

Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any arrest abroad, the reality is that where an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail and release. While the Irish Government is entitled to expect that its citizens will receive a trial similar to that in Ireland, this is not always the case in practice. The Government has made several representations to the Egyptian Government about this citizen’s time spent in detention without conviction, and has supported applications for release on bail in accordance with Egyptian law.

My Department continues to review its approach and retains the flexibility to adjust it as and when that may be required, but the Government’s approach is guided at all times by the two key objectives set out.