Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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What we are hearing about this clampdown, not only on journalists but also on the judiciary and people involved in education, is very disturbing. I had tabled an oral parliamentary question on this matter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, on the previous occasion he took questions, which was about a week ago. In terms of children being back at school, there are about 40,000 to 50,000 teachers who are not back in their jobs, and that will have a massive impact. The Minister outlined what he had been doing, but this is showing a disregard on the part of Turkey for the EU, and yet it is a Union of which it wants to be member. I brought up the case of Ahmet Altan and his brother which was very disturbing. Ahmet was accused by the prosecution of sending subliminal or subconscious messages in a television programme. That gives us an idea of the extent of what is happening there.

The witnesses mentioned the lobbying of embassies. Has that led to any significant movements? Again, there is the matter of what we can do, which has been addressed. I note that the witnesses' organisation is involved with other countries. I would mention Azerbaijan as one in particular where there also seems to be a severe clampdown on the media and community activists. I have been following the case of a photojournalist who is in jail in Cairo, as part of everything that was happening there over a year ago. He is a photojournalist and has no political affiliations whatsoever. He is known as Shawkan. I have taken up his case with the Egyptian ambassador, but again there is a total disregard for answering questions about people who have ended up in jail. I do not know if the witnesses' organisation has been involved with him, but I take this opportunity to raise his case, even though the witnesses are here to discuss what is happening in Turkey.