Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The case raised by Deputy Halligan is indeed serious. The safety and protection of journalists are matters to which we attach a very high importance. Journalists should be able to go about their work without being at risk. The responsibility for investigating the crime lies with the authorities in Bangladesh and they must be allowed to carry out that investigation. Ireland, along with our EU partners, is encouraging the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that there is a full and fair investigation into this and similar cases.

I am aware that there have been a number of incidents involving journalists over the past number of months. There have been reports to that effect from the Bangladeshi NGO, Odhikar. Some of the cases have involved attacks and-or intimidation. There are other unresolved incidents, including the unsolved murders of a Saudi diplomat and a labour rights activist, and the disappearance and abduction of a former MP. These cases, along with those referred to by Deputy Halligan, are being monitored by EU representatives in Dhaka. Along with its EU partners, Ireland would encourage the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that there is a full and fair investigation of these incidents.

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