Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I acknowledge the phenomenal work he is doing in his brief on overseas aid. We are all very proud of the work he does and I encourage him to keep doing it. He is representing our country magnificently.

I thank Senator McDowell and his colleagues for tabling this motion. It is a matter that has troubled me considerably, particularly in recent times. We have seen how China is treating Taiwan by encroaching on its airspace in a very dictatorial and threatening manner. Senator Wilson gave a very powerful contribution. He articulated what we all believe to be the case. Taiwan is a democratic country. Its people elect their own president and their government. It has a population of 24 million. It is not like the monster that is trying to invade it and is threatening it, whose human rights record is atrocious. I have no problem saying that and being quoted articulating that view. It is very disturbing to listen to media reports of Chinese aircraft circling and invading the airspace of Taiwan.

Taiwan has flourished; it is a great country. What it has done in more than 20 years as a democratic country has been fantastic.Taiwan has a great relationship with this country. The people of Taiwan and the people of Ireland share many interests. They have a common purpose. Yet our Government is the only one in Europe not to have an official representative in Taiwan. I agree with Senator Wilson. Why was it shut down in the first place? Why has it not been opened? We should have full diplomatic relations with Taiwan. I pay tribute to the Taiwanese office in this country, led by Pierre Yang and Chris Tsai. In spite of the fact we do not treat them with the respect they deserve, they treat us with huge respect. Irish people have gone to Taiwan as missionaries, priests and people from religious orders. The work they did in Taiwan to help Taiwan for many decades is something the Taiwanese people appreciate.

We are speaking about Taiwan, which has a population of 24 million, and how it does its business and how it recognises and respects human rights, the role of women, people with disabilities and people of diverse and different backgrounds. However, the record of the country trying to invade it, China, on human rights is terrible. It does not treat women with respect. It does not treat people with disabilities with respect. It has no regard whatsoever for people from different backgrounds. It has grown into what can be described as a monstrous economy that really does threaten the world.

As a small country we have always punched above our weight internationally. We are on the UN Security Council. Traditionally, we have always punched above our weight. We need to stand on the side of the Taiwanese people. We need to use our influence internationally to support Taiwan and ensure its independence, its people and its way of life are respected and that it is not bullied by the power that is beside it. I have to say I have huge regard for the record on Taiwan of President Joe Biden and previous US Administrations. Whatever the purpose or reason for it, at least it is there as a counterbalance to what is going on.

I sincerely hope we will change our attitude on our foreign policy and, in the first instance, re-establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan and open our economic office in Taiwan, which should never have been closed in the first place. The Minister of State is extremely influential in government. He carries a huge amount of influence within the Department of Foreign Affairs. I would love it if he came out on the side of Taiwan and became an advocate for the people of Taiwan and the wonderful culture and great democracy it is. Taiwan and Ireland have significant connectivity and friendship. This can be built on to the mutual benefit of both countries. I look forward to the response of the Minister of State.