Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 April 2017
423. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a further progress report on his most recent actions and communications regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18332/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and substantial resources and time are being devoted to it, by the Taoiseach and the Government and by my Department.
In light of our serious concern for this young man’s welfare, the Government took the unprecedented step last month of making arrangements for an Irish doctor, nominated by the Chief Medical Officer, to visit him in prison and to make an assessment of his health.
I have consistently underlined my concerns about this case in all contacts with Egyptian interlocutors and made clear that the Government expect them to fulfil their responsibilities in relation to this man’s welfare and well-being.
Ireland’s Embassy in Cairo is continuing to follow up on these matters.
The Taoiseach has in recent days renewed the Government’s appeal to the Egyptian President to release this Irish citizen and return him to Ireland without delay. This is the Government’s objective, and we are working day-in and day-out to seek to secure that outcome. I repeated this position when I met my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Shoukry, again face-to-face last month. In recent days I have also spoken again with EU High Representative Mogherini about the case and I also availed of the opportunity of my meeting with the Secretary General of the Arab League, who is also a former Egyptian Foreign Minister, to enlist his assistance in trying to persuade the Egyptian authorities to release this man.
The court case in which this person is accused is now moving forward at a more accelerated pace. At the most recent hearing in the case, on 5 April, eleven more witnesses were called and cross-examined. Also at that hearing, lawyers representing our Irish citizen made a request for his release on health grounds and the presiding Judge undertook to examine the matter. The same judge has previously ordered on a number of occasions that there should be medical evaluations of this man’s health. The next hearing in the case is scheduled to take place on 26 April. Officials from the Irish Embassy will again be in court to observe proceedings, as they have been at every hearing in the case to date.
For my part, I will be continuing to work urgently at the political level to maintain pressure on the Egyptian Government to release our citizen and allow him to return to his home and his family.
