Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have a closer relationship with China now than we have ever had previously. This involves more trade delegations, more interaction and more meetings that involve local government as well as national Government. I have taken the approach of being respectful but, at the same time, being upfront about human rights concerns and the approach to governance in China from a human rights perspective, as well as from a trade opportunity perspective. When one is upfront and respectful about this, it is a real conversation. I will certainly speak to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, about this matter from the point of view of guidelines. The best thing we can do is to try to lead by example. Deputies will see Ireland working with New Zealand and other states on trying to build tolerance within our own countries in order to try to ensure that we do not see Islamophobia, for example, raising its head and that there is freedom of religion and belief, not a demonisation of it.

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