Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

I call on the Government, in particular the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to condemn immediately, clearly, unequivocally and publicly the Egyptian military regime for the massacre of 33 protestors in Tahrir Square during the weekend and as many as 50 protestors in the past week or two. I also ask the Government to call publicly and unequivocally for the military clique surrounding Field Marshal Tantawi, a thug of President Mubarak, to step down, relinquish power to the civil authorities and give an immediate undertaking that democratic elections will be allowed to take place and that those elected will have full power without military intrusion. Will the Tánaiste call in the Egyptian ambassador who is located on Clyde Road in Ballsbridge to tell him that, unless there is a clear undertaking from the Egyptian authorities that they will end the repression of the democratic revolution in Egypt immediately, he will be expelled from Ireland and that we will sever diplomatic and other ties with the regime?

Will the Government speak out about the involvement of the United States through its continuing arming and support of the military clique responsible for the massacre during the weekend? Will the Government make public statements and call in the Saudi ambassador to question him on his country's financing of Salafi gangs which are whipping up sectarian conflict between Christians and Muslims and focusing vicious attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt in an attempt to disorganise and divide the country's democratic forces?

These are important steps that the Government could take to support the democratic revolution in Egypt, which is of historical importance. If the revolution is defeated, it will set back the cause of democracy in the Middle East for many years to come. The Government must side publicly with the protestors who are laying down their lives in the fight for democracy, justice and equality in Egypt.

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