On page 144 of the programme for Government, under the heading "Promoting Fundamental Rights", it states:

We will promote fundamental rights, the rule of law... We will continue to protect and promote human rights... and to support the work of Human Rights Defenders.

This evening, the Halawa sisters, along with human rights organisations, will gather outside the Dáil because of the critical situation of Ibrahim, who went unconscious over the weekend because he is not accepting glucose injections. His life is literally on the line and human rights organisations such as Amnesty have pointed out that his continued imprisonment represents an inexcusable violation of international and Egyptian law. Given the commitment in the programme for Government, and the critical life-threatening situation of a young man who is the victim of a violation of basic human rights, what is the Government going to do to address this?

To back up Deputy Boyd Barrett, I was on a Dáil delegation in January along with Deputy Howlin and others to visit Ibrahim. I call on the Government to send the Minister for Foreign Affairs to Egypt on a humanitarian basis to seek his release. Our understanding from the independent medical examination is that his health has deteriorated gravely.

The core objective of any Government and, in particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is to protect the welfare and safety of its citizens. I urge the Taoiseach to send the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, and whoever else is required, to urge the Egyptian Government even to release Ibrahim Halawa on bail under house arrest. This young man has been on and off hunger strike since November. He is a decent young guy for whom I and others can personally vouch.

I have to say-----

This situation cannot be allowed to continue.

----- it is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

I know, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, but this is an exceptional circumstance. I ask for the Taoiseach's urgent intervention.

If it is about promised legislation, the Taoiseach may answer.

Amendments to the programme for Government.

In respect of the programme for Government and the legislation, I was concerned about some reports over the past fortnight. The Government made a decision to send an independent Irish medical doctor to Cairo to talk to and carry out a medical assessment on Ibrahim Halawa. That happened.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has been to Cairo on three occasions already. He was to speak to the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shoukry, last week, but that meeting did not happen because he was held up in Washington on Middle East business. The Egyptian authorities were more than willing to assist in this matter.

While this might not be a normal intervention, it was done because of the comments in respect of Ibrahim Halawa's health. The Government arranged for an Irish doctor nominated by the chief medical officer to go to Cairo last week. He participated in a consular visit to Ibrahim Halawa at the Wadi el-Natrun prison on 29 March with the ambassador. He was there for four hours. They met Ibrahim Halawa for an hour and a half. The doctor observed a medical examination of Ibrahim Halawa carried out by an Egyptian doctor. It is not appropriate for me or any other Government spokesperson to reveal or comment on the details of Ibrahim Halawa's health condition. As the Deputy knows, these matters are private and confidential. However, I can say the Irish doctor, who is a GP, recommended that specialist medical evaluations take place and that Ibrahim Halawa be returned to Ireland for such assessments and on humanitarian grounds.

Last evening I sent another urgent letter to President el-Sisi on the basis that he be released on humanitarian grounds. The case is due to go to court tomorrow. The Egyptian President has been quite clear and very consistent all along that he can only use his presidential powers of pardon after a court case has actually taken place.

That is not true. People were released before the court case despite the same precedent.

His life is on the line now.

We have had a question and an answer. I have been lenient.

We are very concerned about it and it is receiving the most urgent attention of any Irish citizen abroad.