Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I have not seen a single Irish person deported to conditions anything like those that exist for that 18 year old in Lagos. I do not wish anybody else to undergo such treatment.

I am certain on one point. Despite all the disagreements I had with him, the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, would not have taken this action. Notwithstanding his limitations, the previous Minister has a compassionate heart and would not allow this to happen.

The EU is apparently proposing to end its embargo on selling arms to China. I have raised this issue previously in the House and would like the House to have a serious debate on it. We aspire to be the House in which European issues are debated. The ending of the embargo is a considerable issue. It has trade and global political implications and, above all, ethical and moral implications. A decision should not be made by Government alone without reference to the Oireachtas.