Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2015
29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the latest developments in Egypt particularly in relation to the mass trials of protestors and including Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa at the recent European Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7794/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain deeply concerned at this individual’s continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial. From my first day in office, I have taken an active role in this case and indeed in my first week in office I spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry setting out my concerns.
I have spoken to FM Shoukry on a number of further occasions, stressing that the individual was only 17 at the time of the alleged offences and asking for the case to be reviewed, so that he may be released so that he can return to his studies and his family. I have met this individual’s family on a number of occasions, most recently on 12 February.
I have also raised the matter repeatedly at a European level and at a recent meeting HRVP Mogherini assured me of the ongoing assistance which the EU institutions can provide.
We are monitoring all developments closely. This is a difficult case involving a foreign legal system and the judicial processes of another state in which we cannot interfere.
It remains the Government’s view that this individual should not be tried as part of a group trial involving a large number of defendants and on the basis of group charges. I wish to assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment to the welfare of this young Irish citizen. I wish also to assure the deputy that officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Dublin and in Cairo, are in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and with the Egyptian authorities and will continue to work actively towards the achievement of a positive outcome to this case.
