Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for his response. Thankfully, it seems as though Ireland is doing all that it can to ensure that this is raised through the proper channels.

I welcome the fact that the human rights council has been raising it here in Ireland and making statements. Pursuing it and pushing it through human rights is the way to go. I welcome that; it is vitally important. I welcome the fact that Ireland is working with the International Accountability Platform for Belarus. It is important to work with the NGOs and make sure that they are supported to work with that.

Difficult as it might be, it is probably important to try to keep some method of open communication with the regime there as well to try to put pressure on it to behave, act responsibly and maybe get rid of itself in the long run because that is ultimately the only goal that will lead to a proper functioning government in Belarus.

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