Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community has been able to positively influence or assist the democratisation of Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49537/13]
View answerI have already made clear my concerns about the overthrow of Egypt’s elected President and the implications for Egyptian democracy of the troubling events of recent months. The Egyptian interim authorities have established a constitutional reform process, which is aimed at submitting a new constitution for approval in a referendum, expected to be held in late 2013 or early 2014. According to reports from Egypt, parliamentary and presidential elections will be held in 2014 following the approval of a new constitution. Ultimately, it will be for the Egyptian people to decide freely on the merits of any draft constitution which they will hopefully have the opportunity to do in the planned referendum.
Ireland supports the return of a democratic constitution and government in Egypt at the earliest opportunity, and I have made this point both to colleagues within the EU and in discussions with other international community partners. I have also spoken recently with Foreign Minister Fahmy on a bilateral issue and we both look forward to a fuller discussion of the situation in Egypt in the near future. It is at least some encouragement to note that the state of emergency imposed by the interim authorities in August during the large-scale disturbances which took place at that time has now been lifted, following calls from many in the international community, including the EU.
Egypt remains a vital partner for Ireland and Europe and it is very much in all our interests to keep working with and assist the Egyptian people to return to a sustainable path of democratic renewal and development.
