Written answers

Tuesday, 11 April 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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409. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the welfare of a person (details supplied) currently detained in Egypt in view of renewed concerns for their health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17545/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles 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, by the Taoiseach and the Government and by my Department. Reports about this man’s health are a matter of the utmost concern to the Government. In light if these concerns the Government took the unprecedented step last month of making arrangements for an Irish doctor, nominated by the Chief Medical Officer, to visit him in prison and to make an assessment of his health.

While the doctor’s findings are, of course, a private and confidential matter, I can confirm that the Irish doctor shared his assessment and recommendations with the prison authorities who have a clear responsibility to ensure this man’s welfare while he remains within the Egyptian prison system. The Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have consistently underlined our concerns in all contacts with Egyptian interlocutors and made clear that we expect them to fulfil their responsibilities in relation to this man’s welfare and well-being. Ireland’s Embassy in Cairo is continuing to follow up on these matters.

I have been concerned by persistent reports that the citizen in question is pursuing a hunger strike. The Government has consistently stressed to him and to his family that he should not pursue such a course of action, which will only be damaging to his well-being and his cause, and that he should look after his health by eating properly and cooperating with medical tests and investigations that are arranged on his behalf.

The Taoiseach has in recent days renewed the Government’s appeal to the Egyptian President to release this Irish citizen and return him to Ireland without delay. This is the Government’s objective, and we are working day-in and day-out to seek to secure that outcome.

The court case in which this person is accused is now moving forward at a much more accelerated pace. At the most recent hearing in the case, on 5 April, 11 more witnesses were called and cross-examined. Also at that hearing, lawyers representing our Irish citizen made a request for his release on health grounds and the presiding Judge undertook to examine the matter. The same judge has previously ordered on a number of occasions, that there should be medical evaluations of this man’s health. The next hearing in the case is scheduled to take place on 26 April. Officials from the Irish Embassy will again be in court to observe proceedings, as they have been at every hearing in the case to date.

Our Ambassador and his team in Cairo have done exceptional work on this case with an unprecedented number of consular visits being undertaken to ensure that this citizen’s health and welfare is monitored and that any concerns are immediately followed up with the responsible authorities.

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