David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for facilitating the meeting. I have worked with Ms Dongxue Dai for many years and I know some of the witnesses. I find the evidence compelling and chilling. The numbers and forensic analysis clearly demonstrate that a massive crime against humanity has been perpetrated.

Can the delegation forward relevant legislation used in other places such as Israel and Australia to the committee? We might be able to produce a similar model. I tabled a motion but it is fairly weak and is couched in quite diplomatic terms. I hope the evidence today will unite all of my colleagues behind the cause and thus avoid the necessity of a vote. My Sinn Féin colleagues added their names to my motion but they have been omitted for various reasons. Perhaps it was my fault.

We got the answer to the question of why we do not stop it immediately. It is because the Chinese have acknowledged it is happening. Mr. Matas used the chilling phrase "these people are executed through organ extraction." I presume that means that organs are removed while people are still alive and they die as a result of the process. In recent weeks I have learned that I will require a liver transplant but I would not wish, in any sense, for this kind of thing. Most decent people would prefer not to get an organ from this source and take the consequences. That would certainly be my view. I would not accept an organ obtained in this way.

I agree with the delegation that organ harvesting should be criminalised in the same way as child trafficking for sex abuse purposes. Harvesting is mass murder and echoes what the Nazis did during the Holocaust.

Finally, I deeply regret the tone of the briefing note from the Department of Foreign Affairs, which was overwhelmingly concerned with trade. It also referred to the "autonomous" region of Tibet. Can the Chairman contact the Department to ask when this massive seismic shift in Ireland's attitude and in relations between Tibet and Ireland and China and Ireland took place? That policy never went through Parliament and nobody was consulted. This committee was never consulted. I remember a former distinguished Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Commissioner, Mr. Michael O'Kennedy, protesting loudly that such a move was done behind the Parliament's back by the civil servants. I wish to register my protest at this disgraceful weakening of our attitude towards Tibet, particularly in light of the fact that we now have evidence that Tibetans have also been targeted.