I would urge again that our absolute condemnation of that kind of action is made, particularly in the context of Covid. In any context, it is very serious.

I was horrified by the television coverage of the post-election situation in Belarus. The police brutality visible on our screens was shocking, appalling and disgusting. For that reason, the sanctions against Belarus are welcome. Will the Minister elaborate on how he sees the situation there? We have a particular Irish interest there with one of the Belarus opposition figures having spent a pleasant part of her childhood here.

The Minister addressed the issue of the Uighur Muslims as raised by Senator Ardagh. I am concerned about the national security laws in Hong Kong. We have to be in an active position on China on these issues while conducting normal business. We cannot be ambiguous about those issues and I do not think we are. It is important that the committee shows its support on this matter.

The Minister did not refer in his address to the situation in Poland. That is not to say that it is not concerning him. Will he respond to the diminution and erosion of human rights in Poland? Poland and Ireland have great bonds of friendship. They are among the very welcome immigrant groups in Ireland with whom we have a special bond. We have great interpersonal relationships, as should be the case, and we all have a fondness for Poland which makes this all the more disturbing. The erosion of LGBT rights there and the whole humanitarian situation in Poland is shocking. What progress could be made in this regard? Will EU countries make Poland aware of our dissatisfaction in that regard?