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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 32 and 34 together.

The Government is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong following the adoption of a national security law on 30 June by the Chinese National People's Congress.

I made a statement on 1 July to express my concern at the adoption of this law and reiterated Ireland's full support for fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, such as freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. I have also discussed the issue with the Chinese ambassador, directly and in person.

Additionally, on 30 June 2020, Ireland was one of 27 states to sign up to a joint statement at the UN Human Rights Council which reiterates our concerns on Hong Kong. The joint statement highlights our concerns regarding the implications of this law for the autonomy of Hong Kong and the rights and freedoms that are guaranteed in the Hong Kong Basic Law.

The EU also issued a statement on this matter on 1 July, which highlighted the EU's strong stake in the continued stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and outlined our concerns regarding the conformity of this law with China's international commitments. Ireland fully supports this statement. The matter was also raised by the EU during the EU-China summit on 22 June and in a statement by the EU at UN Human Rights Council on 1 July.

With regard to Ireland’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong, Ireland is one of a number of EU member states that has an extradition agreement with Hong Kong. My Department is co-operating on this matter with the Department of Justice and Equality and we are currently reviewing this agreement in line with a number of our EU partners. Ireland’s agreement with Hong Kong contains a number of protections within it, including both mandatory and discretionary grounds for refusal to extradite, as well as provisions for termination by either party.

The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and we will continue to monitor and assess the situation and to raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora.

The straight answer to the Deputy's question is that we are examining this issue. I am discussing it with both the Department of Justice and Equality and other EU member states that have extradition treaties with Hong Kong, but we have not made a decision on it yet.

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