Trade mission to Saudi Arabia

Sir, – Reading of our Taoiseach’s trade mission to Riyadh (“An Irish troika offers words of advice to Kenny on Saudi trip” Home News, January 6th), and the promotion of Ireland by a member of the trade delegation as “not that different” to Saudi Arabia, made my stomach turn.

How much better to highlight the great differences between our countries! Such as the fact that our people can express dissent without fear for their safety. That Irish women do not need male permission to drive, go to school, travel or work. That we are free to protest, assemble and express public dissent at government decisions and policy. That we do not have public executions or punishments.

If we don’t stand for such minimum principles in our business dealings as gender equality, free speech and human rights, then we don’t stand for much. – Yours, etc,

JOANNE DOYLE,

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Sallymount Avenue,

Ranelagh,

Dublin 6.