The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) has called off the controversial event.
IBEC had been scheduled to host a trade and investment conference in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel on Thursday, the purpose of which was to tout Ireland’s strong business ties with Saudi Arabia.
The National Union of Journalists called on IBEC to cancel the event, following the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — who is presumed to have been assassinated by the Saudi Arabian state in Istanbul.
The NUJ has welcomed the decision of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) to cancel an event scheduled for the Shelbourne hotel tomorrow in conjunction with the Irish Saudi Arabia Business Council (ISABC).
Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary of the NUJ, said: “We note the decision of IBEC to cancel tomorrow’s conference and welcome their prompt reaction. This conference had been planned for some time and it is appropriate that in the worsening situation in Saudi Arabia that the government and Irish companies take a new look at plans to strengthen links with the Saudi regime”.
Dooley had originally said :”It is inconceivable that representatives of Irish business would sit down in the Shelbourne Hotel to discuss trade links with Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of the most horrific treatment of Jamal Khashoggi”.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
