Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016
365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to liaise with the Egyptian authorities with a view to achieving the release of a person (details supplied) an Irish citizen who is still awaiting a trial which has been postponed on numerous occasions; if he expects any developments in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/16]
View answerThe Irish Government is pursuing every avenue to secure the release of this citizen and will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. Significant resources continue to be deployed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Cairo and in Dublin, in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both this citizen and his family.
All actions taken in this case are considered in light of the Government’s clear objectives. First, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, second, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by the Taoiseach, Ministers and by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to date in this case has been to further these objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests.
In addition to engagement with the Egyptian authorities, the Government also frequently engages with other states who have had citizens in similar situations, with our European and international partners represented in Egypt, and with the European Union. I have engaged extensively with High Representative Ms Federica Mogherini, who has raised this case with Foreign Minister Shoukry. The Taoiseach has also discussed this citizen’s detention at the highest level with President el-Sisi, and those lines of communication remain open. The Egyptian Government is in no doubt about the Irish Government’s position and our desire to see our citizen released as soon as possible.
Ultimately, any decision to release this citizen will be made solely by the Egyptian authorities. Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any detention abroad, the reality is that where an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail and release.
Following the latest, and very disappointing, delay in this trial, and in consultation with the family and their legal representatives, the Irish Government intends to lend its full support to a further request for release under the Presidential decree/Law 140, and will continue to work in support of these efforts. It is important to note that we supported a previous application pursuant to Law 140; regrettably on the previous occasion, the application was not successful.
Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Dublin and in Cairo, remain in ongoing contact with the citizen’s family. They will continue to engage appropriately with the Egyptian authorities, will remain resolute in seeking to protect the interests of this Irish citizen, and will do all possible to achieve a positive outcome. They also liaise closely with his Egyptian legal team and have attended all trial hearings to date. The Department also undertakes regular consular visits to him in prison.
The Taoiseach and I stand ready to make further contact with our Egyptian counterparts at the appropriate time and we have both been in contact with our counterparts in recent weeks.
The Government will remain resolute in pursuing its clear objectives in this case and in what we firmly believe to be in this citizen’s best interests and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
