Katherine Zappone (Independent)

Yes, and I will get to it in a moment. Human rights is a critical issue. Ireland seeks election to the United Nations Human Rights Council. As we put ourselves forward for that election UN member states will examine our dialogue with other countries. The further development of our relationship with China is a prime opportunity to demonstrate our deftness as an honest broker and objective champion of human rights across the world.

I ask the Leader to invite the Tánaiste, or one of the other three Minsters that will travel to China later this year, to come here and have a debate on Ireland's relationship with China in the context of trade, investment and human rights. One of the key roles of the Seanad is to debate such important matters in a non-partisan way and bring to the discussion our expertise from a range of sectors.