Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence
Framework Agreement between European Union and Republic of the Philippines: Motion
12:15 pm
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
I am glad the Minister of State referred to the concerns on the human rights situation. The possible reintroduction of the death penalty would be a reprehensible and objectionable idea. The EU and the Irish Government need to make that position very clear and continue to make it clear.
It was our colleague, Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, who arranged for Fr. Shay Cullen to make a presentation to Oireachtas Members. It was a powerful presentation on the ills, vices and terrible injustice in that society. He highlighted a number of issues of which all governments need to be conscious and the terrible plight of so many people, in particular the exploitation of young people and children. These are issues that all of us must bear in mind at all times in regard to the Philippines, while trying to help the situation of the underprivileged in that country.
Eanna O Cochlain
Posted on 23 Jul 2017 10:54 am (Report this comment)
I hope Sir with respect that you will consider helping me an Irish citizen and nurse trapped here in the Philippines where the word justice sends all running to hold their hands out for payment.
Please take on board the injustice of my case as has been widely published.
The department of foreign affairs now has Mr Coveney and so I can only pray that he will make more effective efforts to have me released.
My mother, sister and two brothers have died in Ireland and I have suffered enough. Philippines needs to be held to account for their treatment of foreigners who are only going about their legitimate business here and then find themselves put into a legal nightmare where '" justice" is but a joke