Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome him to the Chair. I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House. I agree with his comments on the previous Commencement matter recognising the role of the ISSU. I also agree with the comments of Senator Fitzpatrick.

I am jointly raising an issue with Senator Ward because, as legislators in a democracy, we should stand up for legislators in other democracies when they are faced with unfair threats. I wish the Minister of State a happy Chinese new year and want to stress that in bringing forward this joint Commencement matter, we want to see greater trade, cultural and educational links with China. However, we have serious concerns about the aggressive and repressive manner in which the Chinese Communist Party is currently expressing its economic and political ambition. We have talked in this House previously about the Uyghur people, Tibet, the Falun Gong and other minorities.

What we are seeing in Hong Kong is a suppression of the protests. However, the introduction of the national security law is a very draconian measure that completely undermines the rule of law that we would expect to see in any democracy. It engages in media censorship and does not allow dissenting views. It represents a major threat to democratic principles. We have seen the arrest and imprisonment of legislators, business people, journalists and of university and school students. Many of them are either living in fear in Hong Kong or are forced to seek exile.

I ask the Minister of State for a clear statement on this. I ask also that the Government adopts a welcoming approach to those who, for a variety of reasons, may have to come here to seek asylum and who may require visas and that it takes the issue up with the Chinese Ambassador.