Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 January 2016
215. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his contacts with the Egyptian authorities regarding a citizen being detained in Egypt (details supplied) whose trial has been adjourned until March 2016 and the consular assistance given to this person. [1627/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade I have engaged extensively on this citizen’s case with my Egyptian counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sameh Shoukry, and with Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, Ms. Soha Gendi. The Taoiseach has also directly engaged on this case at the highest-level with the Egyptian President, Mr Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Furthermore, officials from my Department and our Embassy in Cairo are in regular and frequent contact with the relevant Egyptian authorities. The Egyptian Government is in no doubt as to our position on this consular case and our clear desire to see this citizen released at the earliest possible opportunity.
Since this citizen’s arrest in 2013 both he and his family have been the recipients of extensive consular assistance. Embassy officials undertake regular consular visits to the citizen in prison, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade interacts frequently with his family and his Egyptian legal team 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 several positive interventions have already been made on his behalf with the Egyptian authorities. 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 a member of the family following last Saturday’s hearing. Embassy officials have attended all court hearings so far – a clear demonstration of the importance we attach to this case.
