Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have. I spoke about this issue earlier in terms of the arrest of Mr. Rached Ghannouchi. I made this point in response to the original question from Deputy Kenny. This is not about tea and sympathy. That is not what we are doing. We must have a realistic assessment of these issues and how we can best impact and create pressure. It will either be through engagement or just complete isolation. We must work on the engagement front.

Respect for human rights and a frank discussion on all these issues form parts of the EU's regular contact with Tunisia. There is concern across the EU regarding the deteriorating situation in Tunisia, and this will be a core element of discussions at the EU-Tunisia association council meeting, which will take place before the end of this year. This will be one opportunity. In other areas, we have been active across all international forums on issues related, for example, to freedom of expression and press freedom. We are members of the UN Human Rights Council, the World Press Freedom Coalition and the Media Freedom Coalition, which advocate for the protection of journalists and so forth.

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