The Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan says a formal request for the release of Ibrahim Halawa has been made to authorities in Egypt.

It comes after a London based law firm said that there were a number of options available to the government that could see the Dublin teenager freed.

Mr Halawa (19), from Firhouse in Dublin, was detained nearly two years ago during a protest in Cairo.

His trial has been repeatedly adjourned and he is charged with number of offences - including terrorism, murder and use of explosives.

Mr Flanagan told Newstalk Lunchtime the ultimate goal is to get Mr Halawa back on Irish soil.

Barristers from Doughty Street Chambers, a civil liberties law firm based in London, have said a number of unexplored legal options could be open to the government to secure his release before his trial.

The Irish Times reports that the firm have pointed out that under Egyptian law the accused may be returned to their country of origin before the trial concludes.

The barristers have suggested the government to "take specific steps" to secure his return to Ireland.

These options included making a formal request for his return to Ireland under Egyptian law, taking diplomatic action to protect his human rights, and putting Egypt on notice for a potential legal action for breach of its obligations at the International Court of Justice.

Last month, Amnesty International said evidence clearing Halawa's name had come to light.

The human rights group says eye witness accounts disprove the authorities' claims that protesters exchanged fire with security forces at the confrontation at a Cairo mosque in August 2013.