Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Brexit is not the only cause of uncertainty in EU. The Italian people rejected a referendum on constitutional change on 4 December last and the Government of Matteo Renzi subsequently resigned. On the same day, an independent candidate just about beat a far-right candidate in the Austrian presidential election. As Deputy Adams has mentioned, the Spanish authorities are threatening to prosecute the Speaker of the Catalan Parliament for facilitating a debate in that democratic legislature. The EU has responded to the growing anger about its democratic deficit and its economic failures with further federalisation and reductions in member state sovereignty. This can best be seen in the unprecedented attempt to ram the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement through the European Parliament and provisionally apply it before member state parliaments have had the chance to debate the agreement and vote on it. I am conscious that there was no real debate on it in this Chamber. The EU's approach to these issues can also be seen in the move to create a standing European army and to increase military spending among EU member states. This is happening at a time of huge cutbacks in public and social spending.

I am conscious that the Council will be meeting against the backdrop of the failure of Europe and the world to stop the bloodshed and the slaughter of innocents in Aleppo. When the Taoiseach speaks at the Council meeting, he has to send a message that conflict cannot be disconnected from migration. It is clear that the two issues are linked. If a particular part of the world or a particular country is being bombed, people will flee from that area to safer areas where no bombing is going on. In this case, people believe safety is to be found in Europe. There is increasing anger among citizens about the failure to do anything to tackle adequately the challenges associated with the migration problem or to step up to the plate to resolve conflicts like that in Syria.

Sinn Féin firmly opposes the new attempts to introduce a common consolidated corporate tax base because these plans are not the solution. The EU status quocannot continue. The European institutions need a serious wake-up call. They must take on board the growing disillusionment among voters. Sinn Féin has constantly highlighted the glaring democratic deficit at the heart of the EU. As we know, recent polls have shown that trust in the EU is continuing to fall. At this week's EU Council meeting, the Taoiseach should demand real reform and not just a tinkering around the edges. We need to build a progressive, prosperous and social Europe that respects sovereignty.

Yesterday was Ibrahim Halawa’s 21st birthday. He spent it in jail. He should have been celebrating this important day with his family and friends, but instead he learned that his trial has been adjourned yet again. This was the 17th postponement of his mass trial to date. Ibrahim Halawa has spent 40 months, or 1,214 days, in prison as Egypt continues to disregard its obligations under Egyptian and international human rights law. His trial has been rescheduled for 17 January 2017. The Taoiseach needs to call President el-Sisi and state that the Irish Government is seeking Ibrahim Halawa's release under Law 140. Rather than writing another letter, the Taoiseach should pick up the phone to speak directly to President el-Sisi. Article 155 of the Egyptian constitution allows President el-Sisi, with the approval of the Egyptian cabinet, to issue pardons to prisoners. President el-Sisi has used Article 155 four times in 2016, resulting in 859 prisoners being released. The most recent pardon focused on 82 young prisoners. The Taoiseach needs to explore this option because what is happening to this young man is unacceptable. I ask the Taoiseach to raise Ibrahim Halawa’s case formally at this week's European Council meeting if the opportunity arises. I expect him to do so informally as well. The plight of this young man needs to be put on the record. We are calling for the release of this citizen of Ireland and Europe. This is an example of something useful that can come out of the meeting.

I will conclude by stating my concerns about the continued assassinations and intimidation of human rights defenders and community activists in Colombia. While we all welcome the new peace agreement in Colombia, it must backed up with protections for civil society and political activists. Seventy human rights defenders have been killed in Colombia so far in 2016. This marks an increase on last year's figure. Thirty-one of these murders have happened since the entry into force of bilateral ceasefires on 29 August last. Ireland and the EU have pledged to support the peace process in Colombia. One of the priority issues must be to provide robust protection for all of these activists. I ask the Taoiseach to raise what is happening in Colombia at this week's meeting.

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