Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Norris's amendment.

A serious issue has been ongoing in North Korea for many months. It has carried out five nuclear tests, creating considerable instability in the region and around the world. It looks as though North Korea will carry out a further six nuclear tests. Mr. Otto Warmbier, a young US student, was held for seven months before being brought home in recent days. He has since died. It is believed that experimentation was carried out on his brain, with the flow of blood to it being stopped. It is very sad and brings home the fact that something needs to be done, but I am unsure what that is. I understand that China is North Korea's only ally and provides it with the most economic assistance. I also understand that China is the only country that has influence with North Korea and that it is doing its best. I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to articulate the view held by me and possibly the Seanad that more could be done by China or other interested parties nearby to try to get North Korea to stop carrying out nuclear tests.