Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the 15% increase in the provision for the Equality Tribunal to adjudicate on individual claims and to tackle the backlog of cases. We endorse the core function of the Irish Human Rights Commission, IHRC, which is to scrutinise legislation that affects human rights. Likewise, the Equality Authority will continue to be an independent voice in order to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality. I hope this will be the Government's commitment. When the Minister of State contributes, I do not doubt he will endorse my sentiment. I would not want it any other way.

Every Senator will wholeheartedly support Ireland's stand on human rights internationally, but I cannot accept the terms used in the motion, namely, that we have abandoned the people of Tibet. It is not true.