Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá áthas orm an deis a fháil labhairt ar ráitis maidir le slándáil idirnáisiúnta agus trádáil idirnáisiúnta anseo inniu.

We all want to see a settled and peaceful international order, not least because of the cost that usually occurs in terms of human life when there is no such order. I am also concerned about the blatant militarisation of the EU, the growing willingness to cloak aggression under the guise of defence and the gradual erosion of our military neutrality, but today I want to raise a specific issue of international security for Christian communities worldwide. The Tánaiste may be aware of reports that the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has approved measures urging President Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria due to the widespread persecution of Christians following the Congress hearing on 12 March. This is being reported that US lawmakers condemned the Nigerian Government for its failure to protect Christian communities from escalating violence citing alarming data from multiple human rights organisations there. A 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa revealed that Nigeria accounted for 90% of all Christians killed globally each year. The report documented that, between October 2019 and September 2023, at least 55,910 people were killed and 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the country. I am calling on our Government to consider the imposition of whatever available sanctions we can on Nigeria until it fully respects the rights of all Christians to live in peace.

In terms of the international trade aspect of these statements, I want to refer to our haulage sector, which is a vital cog in the economic wheel of international exports. Indeed, in terms of employment here in Ireland, it is a huge employer, particularly in rural areas. However, there are rising concerns over the biofuel imports that are coming into the country. It is my understanding that only last weekend the Sunday Business Post carried an article in which it stated that Circle K has stopped imports of palm oil mill effluent, mainly originating in Malaysia and Indonesia. At this point, given that organisations which have been around since the 1970s, such as the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, and which are experts in this field, are raising concerns, we need to take on board what they are saying and we need an independent regulatory body to monitor fuel quality, particularly in terms of imports.

I acknowledge the Minister's work in transposing the EU fuel quality directive into Irish law. It was a very welcome and worthwhile step. However, we need to do more and quickly. An independent regulatory body is the way to go in order to ensure that samples are scientifically examined and that the quality is checked. I understand from reports I have read in The Irish Times going back to last year that hauliers and companies are encountering costs of between €15,000 and €20,000 for repairs to trucks because of poor quality biofuels coming into the country. I call on the Minister to be proactive on this issue, listen to the IRHA and set up the independent regulatory body to monitor the fuel quality of biofuel imports.

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