Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for coming here and making a presentation. I support the delegation in terms of what it seeks. However, it is important that we broaden the conversation. Early last year I had a meeting with two members of the Muslim community who were from India. They outlined to me the attacks that their family had suffered. Similar attacks were outlined by the delegation and, indeed, one of their distant relatives was killed for being Muslim. When we talk to the Indian ambassador or the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade we should mention all minority groups that are being persecuted by the Hindus in the region and emphasise that it is not just Christians. I know Muslim people have been attacked and I am sure other members of the Indian community have been attacked and persecuted for their beliefs. I am a Christian and it is important that we protect Christians but I firmly believe we must also protect other groups. I propose that the committee seeks to protect all minority groups in the region and convey that to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Indian ambassador when they appear before the committee.