Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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As a person who has visited China on several occasions over a long period, I have witnessed the progress which has taken place there towards openness. However, the field of human rights is still a very murky one. In the presentation reference is made to a very barbaric practice.

When the Taoiseach was due to go to China, I wrote to ask him to raise the issue of the Falun Gong because we could raise issues with Governments without necessarily changing our good relationships with them. At times we are a little too cautious. That applies not only to the Government but, unfortunately, to all governments. However, this issue is totally different.

It is good that the delegates are appearing before an arm of government today - that is, an Oireachtas committee. I hope it will not finish here and that the message will go to decision-makers in China that this dialogue is taking place.

I note that the witnesses have an international network as well. Have they found any breakdown in the reticence of governments or government agencies to engage with what is possibly one of the most serious cases of human rights abuse one could chronicle at this time? What type of status do they have as they engage with some of these agencies? It seems to me that there is goodwill regarding what they are saying to us. However, there also needs to be urgency about it. The longer we procrastinate on this, the more innocent people will die. Do the witnesses have international connections they can use to promote the case they are making here today?