Ibrahim Halawa trial delay
Deputy Mary Lou McDonald raised the 18th postponement of Ibrahim Halawa’s trial and asked what the Government would do. The Taoiseach said the Ceann Comhairle’s Cairo delegation had been important, noted the scale of the case, and said a written report would be circulated to Members.
Two further Deputies are offering and if they are very quick, we will try to take them.
Comment on this
I understand Dublin man Ibrahim Halawa has had his trial date put back yet again. This is the 18th occasion on which this has happened. I understand the Ceann Comhairle led a delegation to Egypt. I have two questions, one for the Ceann Comhairle-----
Comment on this
It is the same issue. The delegation needs to report to the House. What will the Taoiseach do? This is the 18th time. It is a never-ending nightmare for this young Dublin man and his family.
Comment on this
It is, and I thank the Ceann Comhairle for leading a delegation to Cairo, going to see young Ibrahim and speaking to President el-Sisi who said that as soon as a verdict is given he will use his presidential pardon powers. He said the very same thing to me on two occasions. Our problem is there are more than 400 defendants in the case. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and his officials have had more engagement on this particular case and young Ibrahim Halawa than on any other Irish citizen I can think of. I cannot answer Deputy McDonnell as to the reasons the case was postponed today. We have had very intense engagement up to the highest levels and not just from myself but from the speaker of our House, the Ceann Comhairle who led an all-party delegation which met face-to-face with the President, and I thank the Ceann Comhairle for this.