Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
33. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he has taken to ensure the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18302/17]
View answerThe Minister replied to a question on Ibrahim Halawa during today's Priority Questions but I have a duty to raise the issue again. In view of the facts that Mr. Halawa is in a wheelchair, that his glucose levels are dangerously low and that he is in solitary confinement, I must pressurise the Minister to tell us what steps are being taken and what more can be done to secure his release.
I assure Deputy Connolly that this consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and that very substantial resources and time are being devoted to it. This case has seen more high-level political engagement, time investment, consultation with third parties, consular visits and court hearing observation missions than any other in which the Irish Government has been involved. This is in light of the exceptional circumstances of the case, as referred to by Deputy Connolly, and, in particular, the youth of our citizen at the time of his arrest, his ongoing detention, the fact that his trial has not been concluded and that there has been no conviction recorded.
The Government has repeatedly and consistently called on the Egyptian authorities to release our citizen and return him to his home and his family in Dublin. We have supported petitions for this man to be returned to Ireland under Egyptian Law 140. We have appealed for him to be considered for release under the youth amnesty scheme of Egyptian President el-Sisi. There has been contact with the Egyptian authorities by myself, the Taoiseach, other Government Ministers and a parliamentary delegation to ensure that every effort is made for the release and return of the Irish citizen without delay. That is my aim and that of the Government. We are working on a daily basis to secure that outcome. I repeated this position when I met my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Shoukry, a number of weeks ago. In recent days, I have raised the issue again with EU High Representative Mogherini and with the Secretary General of the Arab League, who is also a former Egyptian Foreign Minister.
The court hearings have been closely monitored. On all occasions that the case has been called in court, there has been a representative of the Government present. On the most recent occasion, there was a request for Mr. Halawa's release on health grounds and the presiding judge undertook to examine the matter. That is currently under consideration.
It is very welcome that officials are in Egypt monitoring proceedings. As the Minister knows, Ibrahim Halawa was 17 when arrested and had just completed his leaving certificate. He has spent the final two years of his teens and the first two years of adulthood in dreadful conditions. He is now on hunger strike. Things have moved to a new level and the situation has become particularly acute.
In his reply to a previous question, the Minister mentioned that an Irish doctor has been sent in. The Minister might clarify the position in that regard. I did not catch whether the doctor had gone in already or if he is to go in. What was the result of the visit?
Is it correct that the Minister has clarified that the judge is considering whether Ibrahim Halawa will be released on health grounds? Has his case started? He is 21 years of age and his case has been adjourned 21 times. Great inconsistency has been shown by the Egyptian Government in the context of the release of 203 young people whose cases are also pending.
I am sure all Deputies will join me in saying that a hunger strike will serve no purpose. It will not assist in any way. The Irish citizen's health, as indicated in reports, is a matter of utmost concern for both myself and the Government. In light of our concerns, we took the unprecedented step of making arrangements for a medical visit. While his findings are confidential, I can confirm that the Irish doctor recommended further specialist assessment. The doctor shared his assessment and recommendations with the prison authorities, who have a clear responsibility to ensure this man's welfare while he is in the Egyptian prison system.
The Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs have consistently underlined our concerns in this regard in all of our contacts with the Egyptian authorities. We have made it clear that we expect the Egyptian authorities to fulfil their responsibilities regarding the health, welfare and well-being of the Irish citizen. The Irish Embassy in Cairo continues to actively engage and follow up on these matters.
The Minister's opinion and my opinion may be valuable generally but they are immaterial in this case. This young man has gone on hunger strike. When did the Irish doctor go in? When did he write up his report? To whom has the report gone? Will he be going back in to follow up?
The medical visit took place the week before last. The report was immediately furnished and is being acted upon. I assure Deputy Connolly and the entire House that I will continue to urgently work on this case. My officials continue to work on it on a daily basis so that we maintain pressure on the Egyptian authorities to release our citizen, allow him return to his family and resume his studies in Dublin. Every effort in that regard is continuing, including the active involvement of the Taoiseach as Head of Government.
