Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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397. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his efforts to secure the release of a person (details supplied) from detention in Israel, who has been on hunger strike for in excess of 50 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2259/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I share the concerns about the detention of this man, who was arrested on 21 November and given a six-month Administrative Detention order on 20 December, after a month of questioning. The subjects of these orders are given no indication of the allegations or concerns for which they are being detained. This person has been on hunger strike, reportedly taking only water, since 25 November, in protest both at his detention without charge and what he states was his questioning under duress. Ireland has consistently made clear our view that administrative detention, which if it exists at all should only be an exceptional emergency measure, is being used far more widely against Palestinian activists. If there are genuine security concerns about individuals, they should be charged and tried under the law.

Ireland has conveyed these views to the Israeli authorities both directly and through our interventions at UN level and, at the urging of Ireland and others, in EU Council Conclusions. We will continue to do so. Our Missions in the area are monitoring this case and have raised it at EU level.

I must however also urge this prisoner to end his hunger strike, which has reached the point where his health is in serious danger. There has been a series of hunger strikes in recent years in relation to administrative detention, although in all cases the prison authorities have achieved a successful resolution. I am deeply concerned however that, however much one might appreciate the frustration of persons detained without trial, such strikes, if repeated, may eventually end in a tragic outcome. I call on all sides to ensure this does not occur.