Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was one of the people who listened to the campaign representative who strongly argued the case, and we were all horrified at what happened to Mr. Sergei Magnitsky. I have expressed my concern about the proposal and asked for a response to be sought from the Russian ambassador. Like other colleagues, I am surprised by his response. It did not help the debate today. If there are threats then we must step back from them.

I second the proposal made by Deputy Durkan. I examined the original proposal again which used strong language. However, I do not have the information and accept, at face value, the claims made by the campaign. I do not know that the call to impose an Irish Magnitsky law against all other gross human rights violators will happen. I do not think that it will because such a provision would create many problems. There are people involved in gross human rights violations all around the world.

Deputy Durkan's proposal is more measured but it will not result in a lot of action. It will probably not satisfy the people campaigning against the dreadful things that have happened to Mr. Magnitsky and the people that worked for him. The proposal is more measured and that is why I lend it my support. If the Deputy so desires, I can second his proposal.