Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)

I listened to Senator Mooney on the monitor in my office, as is my wont when important debates are taking place. I was impressed by what he said about Taiwan and wish to support him in the context of this Bill. People in Taiwan can practise banking freely, in a good capitalist sense, and can practise one religion. Taiwan does not sterilise people or force them to have abortions as mainland China does, nor does it lock up priests or operate a one child policy, among other things. When the fight against communism raged after the last war Chiang Kai-shek was lauded and supported by all the Western powers but his country is now abandoned because it stood with the West. Senator Mooney's comments should be applauded and I join with him in hoping Taiwan is recognised by being allowed to join the World Health Organisation and other organisations to which it is willing to contribute millions of dollars but is continually blocked by its great master across the straits.