Ibrahim Halawa case tied to trade talks between Ireland and Egypt

Attempts to build millions of euro worth of trade deals between Ireland and Egypt could be blocked unless the Ibrahim Halawa case is “satisfactorily” resolved.

Dáil Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl made the comment before flying to the middle eastern country with a cross-party group of TDs for a series of high-level meetings with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other officials.

The week-long visit d1 which will also see the Irish delegation today meet directly with Mr Halawa, who has been held in a Cairo jail without trial since August 2013 — has been organised to allow future bilateral deal discussions on communications, agriculture, trade and tourism.