Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Six weeks ago, that we discussed the plight of Alexei Navalny and his incarceration in the Arctic penal colony. At that time, I said that President Putin deals with his political opponents by either imprisoning them or poisoning them.

10 o’clock

I should also have mentioned at the time that when those two options do not work, he takes a further step and kills him. It gives me an opportunity to salute the bravery of Alexei Navalny in the bravery he disclosed not only nationally within Russia but internationally. I also commend the people who attended his funeral as it was a very brave act to display any sign of political opposition in Russia considering the previous record of President Putin.

The two individuals I am mentioning here today, and I welcome the fact the Tánaiste has dealt with both of them specifically, are Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin. As the Tánaiste has said, Mr. Kara-Murza is serving a 25-year sentence and suffered from suspected poisoning, and Yashin is serving an eight and a half year sentence. What does the Tánaiste think can be done internationally in trying to put further pressure on the Russian regime to ensure we do not see all political opposition there simply wiped out?

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