Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
390. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he requested the European Council, at its meeting in December 2014, to make representations to the Egyptian Government for the release of a person (details supplied), an Irish citizen, who has been designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. [15210/15]
View answerThis issue was not on the agenda at the European Council meeting in December 2014.
I have discussed the matter at senior European level including with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. The EU remains supportive of our position, and has expressed this support for our concerns at appropriate opportunities with the Egyptian authorities at a high level including by raising the matter with the Egyptian authorities through the EEAS delegation in Cairo.
It was disappointing that the application for bail made by this individual’s lawyers, and supported by the Irish government, was rejected. An official from our Embassy in Cairo attended the hearing on 26 April, and will attend again at the next scheduled hearing on 3 June. My Department and I will continue to take any and all appropriate action that we believe to be in the best interests of our citizen.
