Seanad debates

Wednesday, 3 November 2021

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Barry WardBarry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis na baill de Pharlaimint na hEorpa a tháinig anseo aréir chun labhairt linn, chun éisteacht linn agus chun ár gcuid ceisteanna a fhreagairt. We had an impressive display from the four Dublin MEPs who came to the House yesterday. One of the issues that arose in the course of the discussion was Taiwan. Members will be aware that, last month, the European Parliament passed a motion or approved a report in respect of strengthening ties between Europe and Taiwan, which was passed with a huge number of MEPs supporting it, some 580 to 26 against, with, I think, 66 abstentions. Unfortunately, two of the MEPs who voted against it were Irish MEPs and one Irish MEP did not turn up for the vote.

This is a very strong statement from Europe that we need to strengthen our ties with Taiwan. We need to look at Taiwan as we approach a situation where China is essentially threatening to take over Taiwan and to integrate it into the mainland of China as part of its "one China" policy. One of the answers given by one of the MEPs yesterday was that that is Government policy and, therefore, that MEP voted against the motion on the basis that she did not feel she could contradict Government policy, notwithstanding the fact she contradicts it in lots of other ways, which is her right.

As a legislature, I wonder if the time has come for us to make a clear statement about our views on Taiwan. I had the opportunity in Rome last week to attend a conference with Minister Wu, the Foreign Minister of Taiwan, to discuss these issues. For us, as a small nation, we should understand this better than most. Granted, we are a great deal smaller than Taiwan, but there is a larger country next door and we know what it is to be taken over or to be overruled by that country. We must understand how frightening it is for ordinary citizens in Taiwan facing down an increased militarisation in that area. I wonder if we could have a debate in this House to discuss what we feel about Taiwan and what we should be saying about strengthening our ties, as well as those of our European colleagues, with Taiwan.

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