Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2016
714. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the medical condition of a person (details supplied); if he has received information from the Egyptian authorities on whether this person's trial will go ahead in the near future, the supports being provided to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46481/15]
View answerThe welfare of this citizen remains a key priority for me and my Department. All our actions are in support of our twin objectives of securing his release at the earliest opportunity, and caring for his welfare while he remains in detention. To that end, Embassy officials undertake regular and frequent consular visits with this citizen and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also interacts regularly with his family to provide support and assistance. Such a high level of visitation means that Embassy officials are well-placed to intervene on his behalf when issues arise, and numerous positive interventions have already been made on his behalf with the Egyptian authorities. My Department continues to liaise closely with this citizen, his family and his Egyptian legal team in regard to medical issues. The most recent consular visit took place on 28 December and the most recent direct contact with the citizen’s family was when Embassy officials spoke with one of its members last Saturday.
I remain in close contact with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Shoukry, with Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, Ms Soha Gendi, and with EU High Representative Ms. Federica Mogherini in relation to this case. The Taoiseach has also spoken about this citizen’s detention with President al-Sisi on two separate occasions.
All the information we receive is carefully considered and informs our overall strategy towards the achievement of the above-mentioned twin objectives. As the local lawyers in any consular case are generally best placed to clarify and advise on issues relating to local law, Embassy officials remain in close contact with this citizen’s Egyptian legal team and will continue to support their efforts to secure his release at the earliest possible opportunity.
