Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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166. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his Department continue to support a person (details supplied); if it is expected that a breakthrough will be achieved resulting in their release or return here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9008/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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This consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and substantial resources and time are being devoted to it.

The Government is doing everything it possibly can to ensure that the Egyptian authorities are in no doubt about our determination to see this young man returned to his home and his family in Ireland as soon as possible.

The Irish Government has been present at and has observed every hearing in the trial to date and will be present at all future hearings. Our Ambassador’s assessment is that, notwithstanding the latest adjournment, the new panel of judges in the case are determined to move the case forward. Hearings in December and January have seen witnesses called and cross-examined for the first time since the trial began.

The reality is that it is the Egyptian authorities that are detaining this citizen, and only the Egyptian authorities can make the decision to return him to Ireland.

The Taoiseach has been in contact directly and personally with Egyptian President el-Sisi on numerous occasions now calling on him to exercise his powers under Egyptian law to resolve this case and return our citizen to Ireland.

For my part, I have availed of every appropriate opportunity to raise this case with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and I will continue to do so.

I and my colleagues in Government and our officials will continue to do everything possible and appropriate to apply pressure on Cairo on this young man’s behalf both directly and through and with EU and international partners.