Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I know from my discussions with the Minister over the years that this does not reflect his viewpoint and that he would certainly be in favour of an ethical foreign policy. Why, therefore, could he not go the whole way and support the motion?

The Irish people, in their reaction to what they saw, heard and read about East Timor, made their views effectively known at all levels. Senators Ryan and Norris and I raised the issue on many occasions. What we are trying to achieve now is what we were trying to achieve then in raising those issues.

I wrote to the Minister recently with regard to the major trips to China and all the brouhaha that goes with them. I asked whether what happens in China should matter and whether we should raise issues there. I am a pragmatist but there are times when one must raise issues.

I asked to meet the Chinese Vice Premier when he visited Ireland recently on the issue of the Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, although he found himself too busy to meet. The Falun Gong is a harmless group which is not revolutionary and is not trying to undermine the authority. Its members are harmless. They have a set of beliefs on good living to which nobody could object. However, as they dared to question the totalitarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party they have been imprisoned, brutalised repeatedly and forcibly made the victims of live organ harvesting. I have seen and heard the evidence of situations where it was possible to telephone to order a kidney, heart or liver and it would be delivered on the day as required. This is happening in China today.

These are the questions I would like us to raise. We recognise that China is a big market, and a future market for Ireland, but we should also recognise that we must take a stand against these practices. It is countries like ours — small countries without vested interests — which can make the difference on these issues. This is why I take great pleasure in seconding the motion. I ask the Minister to withdraw the amendment and accede to the motion as proposed by Senator Norris and seconded by myself.