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

I welcome the witnesses. We have heard testimony on this matter previously. When I first heard of it, I was shocked and did not believe that any human being would do this to another. Maybe I was a bit naive about whether a country would do this to its citizens. Even the associated language appals me - "organ tourism". I know of people who travel abroad to get dental treatment or have operations, such as facelifts, done. That is common, but we are discussing someone travelling abroad for a transplant not knowing, or maybe not wanting to know, from where the organ came.

I know people who have donated kidneys, for example. A colleague - a councillor out my way - donated a kidney to a friend of his this year. A close friend of mine died while awaiting an organ transplant. I know of families' desperation for their loved ones, for example, children. However, the idea that someone would use organs in these circumstances is appalling.

I was not aware of the Egyptian connection with the refugees. Could the witnesses expand on that point? Some of us are involved in international organisations, so I would like to raise the matter there.

Mention was made of a possible case and the necessary treatment. Is there an onus on the medical profession to report that to anyone? What would be the ideal approach?

The Houses are collectively appalled by the situation, so if legislation was introduced, Members from all parties and none would support it. The concern is that drafting the legislation might be delayed, but I accept that the matter is probably complex.

Mention was made of banning citizens from travelling to, for example, China for organ transplants. How would that work? The witnesses gave examples of other countries having done this. People can genuinely claim to be travelling on a tourist visa, but an onus arises when they return seeking treatment. How would that work physically? How can it be inserted into law?

Although I asked this question previously, people at home will want to know the answer. Is this just happening to Falun Gong practitioners in China? I believe not, but the witnesses might explain whether it is happening to other political prisoners as well, for example, the Uyghur minority and Tibetans.

Does China allow the Red Cross to visit prisoners in jail? Could the Red Cross play a role in stopping this?

We have a note asserting that China has embarked on reforms of organ donation and is stamping out illegal and unethical practices. I have been told that the embassy here is in co-operation with other EU states and is supposedly monitoring these reform efforts. What does that entail exactly?

The British firm TFP Ryder Healthcare intends to build an organ harvesting centre in Dalian, which was referred to as one of the most notorious areas for organ harvesting. Can any legal action be taken in that regard?

I am conscious that many of those involved are travelling out of desperation and want themselves or loved ones to stay alive, but what can we do to close off that option? The moral argument is probably lost on them. If people break a legislative embargo, should they be sent to jail or fined? What is the ultimate sanction?

I am sickened to my stomach by the idea of organ harvesting. I presume that is why some of our members are missing. There is a sense of disbelief. The idea that anyone would do this to another individual is immoral and all of those words. The language around it is appalling.

In light of today's intervention by the witnesses, I hope that we can push this legislation forward. There is genuine political will among us all to tackle and eliminate this practice. If we can push those countries that are involved in these unethical practices in a certain direction, give us examples of how.