Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the deterioration in the health of a person (details supplied) who has been in prison in Egypt for considerable time; if he will re-engage with the Egyptian authorities with a view to emphasising the seriousness of the situation and the need for early release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14669/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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This long-running and complex consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and exceptional levels of resources are being devoted to the provision of consular support to the citizen and his family. The Government is doing everything it possibly can in our ongoing engagement with the Egyptian authorities to seek to have this young man returned to his home and his family at the earliest possible time. 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 Government maintains open lines of communication at all levels with the Egyptian Government on the case. I once again urged the Egyptian Government to release this citizen without further delay when I met with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Shoukry, in Brussels on March 6th.

My Department does everything possible to monitor the health and welfare of this citizen and we have emphasised the need to protect his health and welfare directly with the Egyptian authorities. Minister Flanagan raised the issue with Minister Shoukry earlier this month. Following representations from the Irish Embassy, the Court ordered a medical assessment of Ibrahim Halawa at the second last hearing. A further assessment was ordered at the last hearing (22 March). It is important that these medical assessments take place. I am disturbed by recent reports about Mr. Halawa’s health and I am seeking urgent clarification in this regard.

We have made it clear to the Egyptian authorities that we hold them responsible for ensuring this citizen’s welfare by carrying out regular medical checks and providing all required medical treatment. The Egyptian authorities have consistently given us assurances on these points.

Our Embassy in Cairo has paid an unprecedented number of consular visits to this citizen, more than 55 in all. The most recent consular visit was on March 1st. A further consular visit will be arranged in the coming days.

The trial in which this citizen is a defendant was back in court on Wednesday 22 March. Officials from the Embassy were present in the court to observe the proceedings, as they have been at every hearing in the case to date.