Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has rejected accusations of "doublespeak" against the Government over its approach to trade with Egypt and calls for the release of Ibrahim Halawa, imprisoned there since 2013.
Independents 4 Change TD Clare Daly made the claim when she said the Dáil was passing motions seeking Mr Halawa's release while at the same time working towards business deals with Egypt, including the sale of live cattle and turning a blind eye to "what is in essence a brutal regime".
Rejecting her claims, Mr Creed said it was inappropriate for veterinary officials in his department to raise the issue of Mr Halawa’s release with veterinary officials in the corresponding Egyptian department.
Egyptian soldiers
The 20-year-old has been held without trial since August 2013 when he was arrested by Egyptian soldiers after taking refuge in a mosque during a “day of rage” anti-government protest.
The Minister said protecting farm incomes was a key part of the Government’s programme, and was particularly important because of the pressure on the 100,000 farm families involved in beef production.
He said Ms Daly should not take a “narrow, mean-spirited approach” which he said would not serve Mr Halawa’s interests one iota. The Government was as concerned as the Opposition about Mr Halawa.
Building walls
“You’re into building walls and cutting off contact. I’m into improving our relations with these countries and thereby bringing pressure to bear so we can achieve our objectives.”
Rejecting the claim she was mean-spirited, Ms Daly asked if the protection of farming incomes was “at any cost” in relation to human rights.
She insisted the Government was sending “mixed signals” to the Egyptian authorities “by making representations while continuing to do business as usual”.
She pointed to the Australian government which had taken a "much more hardline attitude" when one of its citizens, Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste, was arrested. The Australian embassy in Cairo "made clear that the case would have ramifications for Egypt in terms of trade with Australia and the country's reputation".
She said it was “utterly appropriate to use trade and influence to deliver human rights”.
Mr Creed said “disadvantaging Irish agriculture” would not advance Mr Halawa’s case one iota in terms of bringing forward his release date.
