merrion street

Speaking from Luxembourg where he is participating in the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Charlie Flanagan stated:

"As in any consular case, the health of an individual citizen and details their medical history and treatment are private and confidential.

"I can confirm that the Government arranged for a doctor to visit Ibrahim Halawa in prison last week. The doctor recommended further medical assessments and that Mr Halawa be released to facilitate such tests.

"It has long been the Government's stated desire to see Mr Halawa returned to Ireland and we have made direct appeals to the Egyptian government on a number of occasions. Having made arrangements for a medical visit and received a report, the Taoiseach has again written to President el-Sisi about this complex and sensitive case.

"Today (Monday), I discussed the case with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, former Egyptian Foreign Minister, Abou El Gheit. I also again raised the case with the EU's High Representative, Vice President Federica Mogherini who has taken a personal interest in the case.

"This case remains a high priority for the government and it continues to receive unprecedented attention and resources in Dublin and in Cairo. We will continue our efforts to see Ibrahim returned to Ireland without delay. In the interim we will continue to provide very high levels of consular care."