Mr. Colm O'Gorman:

I hope I have clarified aspects of what was said earlier. We will submit a revised document with the changes I suggested we would make.

We share the committee's concerns, particularly about the rise of xenophobia and extremism throughout Europe. It has been remarkable that it has not been the case in Ireland over the past seven or eight years. It is something we should look at and understand why it has not happened or what are the different situations which have arisen in Ireland which mean there has not been a phenomenon here in recent years in the way there has been in other parts of Europe. Colleagues in many of the countries mentioned are gravely concerned about a shift in political and public opinion, particularly regarding issues of migration and minority populations. It will be an increasing focus for Amnesty International over the next three to four years. As it happens, our international council, which is the decision-making body which decides strategy and direction for the our global movement, will meet in Dublin in August next year and I anticipate that coming out of these decisions will be a focus, particularly for the next three years, on issues relating to migration, conflict and attitudes towards minorities seeking protection. We will keep the committee updated on this.

If Deputy Ó Snodaigh's suggestion on a wider discussion with the Egyptian ambassador on the situation in Egypt does come about, we will be very happy to supply much background information. We published a briefing yesterday on the particular treatment of young people and youth activists, their ongoing detention and the human rights violations they are experiencing in Egypt at present. We can give much information on the systemic issues involved and information on individual cases. The case of Ibrahim Halawa features in the document. We would be very happy to provide all of this. It would be a valuable way forward.

On the question of how and at what level Ireland engages directly with Egypt, we are not a diplomatic organisation. We are a human rights organisation. It is for governments to decide how and when a particular intervention might be most useful. We absolutely support calls for Ireland to use every authority and means at its disposal to continue to pursue the immediate and unconditional release of Ibrahim Halawa and his return to Ireland to his family to continue with his life.