Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I heard with interest the references to the classical world from other Senators. As I listened to Senator John Crown refer to Leonidas I was glad neither Senator Mary White nor Senator Mary Ann O'Brien were present to hear the rival produce placement. Horatius at the Bridge did not spring to mind as I contemplated the meekness with which the Tánaiste discussed Ireland's concern about human rights in China recently. We are in a difficult position. We have to be welcoming towards our guests - they were very welcome and we should try to forge whatever links we can - but that does not mean we must be silent about human rights abuses. I support the call by Senator Zappone, Senator Bradford and others on the need for a debate on the issue.

I recall a few months ago when I brought forward a motion of gendercide, that is, the killing of young girls before and after birth particularly in India, China and in the Caucasus region, that the Government, in its amendment, saw fit to remove references to India and China and I wondered at the time whether that was about not frightening the horses. Last week I related the story of Chen Guangcheng, a blind Chinese man and human rights activist, who exposed the forced abortions taking place in parts of rural China and how he suffered from that. The actor, Christian Bale showed much more courage than anybody in our Government so far in seeking to meet that man in order to highlight the sacrifice he is making for authentic human rights.

The Government is right to put the best foot forward but it must find a way to be courageous in raising human rights abuses. I was struck by the contrast between the Tánaiste's meekness - the meek shall inherit the earth - on the subject of China and the relative truculence with which the Holy See was dealt in recent months. The priorities may have got skewed along the way.