Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I apologise for the long, complex nature of my question but I asked it because of the serious concerns expressed by organisations such as Amnesty International that the proposed Bill does not go far enough. There is real disappointment, at the end of the term of this Dáil, that the Government did not manage to bring this matter to a conclusion, despite its having been of concern for the five years in which I have been a Member. This is a real shame and a loss.

The Minister of State said he will consider strengthening the Bill with regard to the definition of products that could only be used for torture. Am I correct in saying their export would require licensing? What is the position on overflights in this regard, or the position on checking goods in transit through the country? In such circumstances, must the Minister specify to the Department of Transport the need for tighter regulations? What role can the Department play to ensure Ireland is not a transit point for such goods?

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