Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the charges and as in any court case, we are reliant on the information given to us by the lawyers. They are the local legal advisers. They are the closest to the proceedings. They are involved on a daily basis in the subject matter of the detail of this case. Notwithstanding that, we have been circumspect in public references to the charges, as this is a serious situation for all Irish citizens, particularly the one who is facing the charges. This is not an issue that we have treated in anything less than the most serious way. We want to make a positive progression leading to a positive outcome.

I will make a further brief point. Senator Daly was incorrect to state that Peter Greste was in the same position as Ibrahim Halawa is today. I have stated this on the record of the Dáil and this committee. Unfortunately, it does not suit some people to read the situation as is. Regarding the presidential decree, Ibrahim Halawa is facing charges and is on trial, but the trial has not yet been concluded in the manner that we would all like. He is in the process of a court case. Peter Greste's initial trial had been completed, as admitted by Senator Daly, and his retrial had yet to start. He was not in the course of court proceedings. A conviction had been obtained by the court and a sentence had been handed down by it. This fundamental difference is of importance in the context of what we are discussing. The presidential decree and its terms will not be applied when an individual is in the course of a court process.

Through the Chair, I ask Senator Daly to retract his statement that the Department was misleading people. It was not and it does not. My officials have given a considerable level of commitment. I resent having their professionalism called into question, given the fact that there have been 42 consular visits. These will continue until this matter is disposed of, as we are anxious to ensure the welfare and return home of Ibrahim Halawa.

It has been claimed that this is a matter of lifting the telephone. I have heard it stated that if certain senior politicians lifted the telephone, Ibrahim would be immediately sprung from prison. That is an overly simplistic view of the process. The Egyptian authorities will make the decision and we will work towards that.

I wish to address US-Cuba relations, as mentioned by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. Like all members of the committee, we welcome the historic decision by Presidents Obama and Castro on the restoration of diplomatic relations. Ireland's long-standing concerns regarding the US embargo were set out at the UN last October when our support for the appropriate resolution of the General Assembly was manifest.

We are firmly of the view that lifting the embargo would facilitate Cuba's economy to the benefit of the people. As in other areas of Latin America, we will continue to raise concerns regarding the governance and the human rights situation.

Senator Daly raised the matter of collusion. In view of the time constraint on this meeting I will write to Senator Daly. It is not an issue that involves the Foreign Affairs Council but I have been reasonably broad in my replies to questions on issues that are not strictly speaking matters for the Council. Please forgive me if I do not open a debate on Northern Ireland because it is not possible within the time constraints. I have raised some of Senator Daly's concerns and I will continue to do so.

On the matter of migration as raised by Deputy Mitchell, I agree with her that this is an issue that needs a comprehensive response rather than an immediate response, although the immediate response in terms of search, rescue, resettlement and relocation, is important. Ireland has received 124 Syrian refugees under the UN resettlement programme. In recent times we had resettled 200 originally and we increased that number by a further 300 to a total of 520. Some of these people are already in Ireland. I wish to make it clear that we believe an approach based on solidarity and responsibility is essential. I would expect that this issue will be the subject of further consideration at the Foreign Affairs Council and at the European Council. We did have issues with any form of mandatory quota system but that is now off the table so we need to look at the type of consideration we can give by way of once-off and emergency measures and, over the coming weeks the final shape of the package and the level of participation will become clear.

Deputy Mitchell raised the matter of the millennium development goals with particular reference to women's health. We would hope, notwithstanding the concern expressed by Deputy Mitchell, that we can reach a common EU position in that regard. I am mindful of the point she makes. Deputy Mitchell and Senator Norris have raised the issue of the feis. I am deeply disappointed that the organisers of this cultural event felt compelled and under pressure to cancel it. I condemn any form of intimidation. There is no doubt whatsoever but that the organisers of this feis, a festival of what we do best, a festival of Irish culture and dance, felt intimidated at a very serious level. In response to Senator Norris, I wish to inform him that our consulate in Chicago was contacted by one of the Irish dancing schools who had planned to take part in the feis but they had been subjected to very serious abuse themselves on social media. The consulate duly contacted the school and made clear, as I reiterate this morning, that the Government does not support a cultural boycott of Israel. Indeed, it is counter-productive and I believe that there is always a place for cultural engagement and in particular with regard to Irish dancing. It is most disappointing that the organisers felt under threat of intimidation. I would hope that it could be reviewed, if not this year, certainly on another occasion.