Today is a very special one for Ibrahim Halawa whose trial is pending. I have been in touch with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to find out exactly what the progress is and if it is happening at this point. They are about one hour ahead there. I have been trying to get through to the ambassador in Cairo but have failed to do that. This situation is beyond belief. An Irish citizen has been in prison in Cairo for four years and has not had a proper trial. His trial in court has been delayed 22 times. We all know about the case. Every Member of the Seanad and the Dáil has been supportive of the case for the release of Ibrahim Halawa without delay. This has gone on for far too long. The Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, led an all-party delegation to Cairo some months ago to plead Ibrahim's case. The Egyptian President has given a commitment that when the trial is finished, Ibrahim will be released on humanitarian grounds, but there has been no progress in this respect. It is hard to believe that we are allowing one of our own citizens to remain in Egypt, which was such an advanced society in the past with the Pharaohs and its tremendous history, for four years without a proper and immediate trial. Justice delayed is justice denied. I know the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade have been very active and have written letters but maybe the President might intervene at this point. I know the President is above politics but he is a man who may have influence with the President of Egypt. All we can do today is hope that the trial will proceed and that Ibrahim will be acquitted and return to his home as quickly as possible. All we can do today is send best wishes to him and his family and to work with a united approach to bring Ibrahim Halawa home.

I echo the remarks made by Senator Leyden. There has certainly been broad cross-party support on this issue and for this cause and I am sure and certain that the support will prevail in securing a release.

Éirím chun cúrsaí Gaeilge ó Thuaidh agus an Lá Dearg atá beartaithe i mBéal Feirste ar an Satharn beag seo a phlé. The Leader is aware, as I have raised the issue before, that the current situation in the North still allows for the retention of one of the Penal Laws, the Languages Act 1737, to prohibit the use of the Irish language in court. There is a concerted, large-scale, broadly representative, cross-community campaign to lobby for legislation to protect the rights of Irish speakers in the North with an Irish language Act. This is an outstanding commitment from the St. Andrews Agreement. Some of the support for that has manifested itself on the floor of this Chamber, including from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, who, on behalf of the Government and along with representatives from all parties and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, has supported the call for the Irish language Act. The UN and the European Union Council's Committee of Experts have all called for the implementation of that agreed Act.

On Saturday, Irish language supporters, speakers, enthusiasts and people who support the progress of rights and equality will descend on Belfast for what is being called An Lá Dearg. They will march from the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road in the heart of the Gaeltacht quarter to Belfast City Hall for a celebration of diversity and the Irish language. I draw Members' attention to this outstanding issue and encourage them to support that call. Conradh na Gaeilge has organised buses from all over the country and Members can consult Twitter or the Conradh na Gaeilge website to see if any buses are going to be close to them. I have not yet seen any from Cork so perhaps the Leader could sort that out. Tá mé ag iarraidh é sin a ardú agus iarraim ar dhaoine ní hamháin a bheith i láthair don mhórshiúl Dé Sathairn ach a bheith linn san fheachtas ar son cearta do Ghaeilgeoirí.