Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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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.