Paul Murphy
Question:634. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will review its discussions with the Egyptian authorities in the case of a person (details supplied) [30379/15]
View answerThursday, 16 July 2015
Questions (634)
Written answers
My Department has a very clear strategy in place focussed on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible. That strategy is based on two clear objectives: firstly to see this individual released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, secondly, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.
To further those objectives I have discussed the case with my Egyptian counterpart on a number of occasions, and we have agreed to keep our channels of communication open. Moreover, at official level, my Department remains in ongoing contact with the relevant Egyptian authorities, both in Cairo and through the Embassy of Egypt in Dublin.
Any decision to release this individual will ultimately be taken by the Egyptian authorities, and it is therefore the Government's considered view, supported by decades of diplomatic experience in other consular cases and extensive consultation with states which have had citizens in similar circumstances, that the firm and measured diplomatic approach we are taking remains our best hope to return this citizen to Ireland at the earliest possible date. In this context, the Deputy will appreciate how important it is that we continue to maintain good bilateral relations with Egypt.
Nonetheless, we continue to review our approach in line with developments and retain the flexibility to adjust our approach as and when that may be required.