Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Irish ambassador to Egypt attended the latest mass trial in Cairo involving a person (details supplied); if he has considered the calls on his Department to begin an international legal challenge against Egypt on the grounds of human rights violations against the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18294/17]

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, by the Taoiseach and the Government and by my Department.

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. I reiterated our position when I met my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, again last month. In recent days I have also spoken again with EU High Representative Mogherini about the case and I also availed of the opportunity of my meeting with the Secretary General of the Arab League, who is a former Egyptian Foreign Minister, to enlist his assistance in trying to persuade the Egyptian authorities to release this man.

The trial in which this person is accused was back in court on 5 April and officials from the Irish Embassy were present in court to observe proceedings. Our Ambassador was not there because he was in Dublin that same day and I was meeting him for consultations on this case. The hearing saw more witnesses called and cross-examined. The trial is clearly moving forward and there are indications that an end to it may be in prospect. 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.

I am aware of calls for the Government to pursue other avenues in order to seek to secure this citizen’s return to Ireland, including international legal action. Our approach throughout this case has been based on a very thorough analysis of all the information, experience and expertise available to us, and has benefitted from extensive consultations with a range of partners and third countries who have had cases involving citizens in comparable situations. While we continue to keep all options under review, it remains our view at this point that the best approach is to continue to work through political and diplomatic channels. This approach holds out the best prospect of a positive resolution to this case at the earliest possible time. Our approach is also informed by our concern not to take any action which would be likely to be detrimental for this citizen’s interests.