Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister referred to how the Irish ambassador had conveyed Ireland's concerns over the conviction of Asia Bibi on a number of occasions, including last November when he visited Islamabad. If there is an opportunity to do this again will he raise the issue again, as well as the broader case of the blasphemy laws? I understand there was a proposal from the Pakistan Government for a new law to target false accusations of blasphemy because there have been reports that accusations have been made against individuals, particularly those from minority villages, as is the case with Asia Bibi. Can Government welcome the proposal for a new law to target false accusations of blasphemy and look for an update on its progress? I understand it is just a proposal from the Pakistan Government at this stage.

Given that there have been reports about Ms Bibi's health, can that aspect of her case be raised as well, particularly from the point of view of humanitarian and medical treatment? Can the Minister continue to raise the matter with diplomats in the Embassy of Pakistan?

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