Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The first issue I wish to raise is the Gorey Educate Together Secondary School. This was announced 18 months ago by the Department of Education and a temporary site was secured, with assurances that a permanent site would be identified. This was after a long campaign locally, with many arguing that the school was needed years ago, but we still do not have a permanent site. Despite several attempts to get confirmation from the Department, including through a Commencement matter in this House when I received assurances that we would get indications on a permanent site, that still has not happened. It is completely unfair to the staff and students within the school, and also to parents and students who are considering taking a place in the school who do not know where that school will be located. I ask the Leader to write to the Minister for Education expressing our concern.

We are aware, in the coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, of the bravery of many journalists, including Mr. Tony Connelly of RTÉ, Mr. Bram Verbeke, the cameraman, and Mr. Paul Cunningham who is on the Ukrainian border with Poland. People who were listening to "Morning Ireland" would have heard Mr. John Sweeney of the BBC who had to interrupt an interview because there was a man waving a gun at him.

While it is right for us to recognise the bravery of those journalists, we must also remember that journalists and those working in the media continue to be under threat all over the world. I want to draw attention again to what has been happening in Hong Kong. Last night, Mr. Tam Tak-chi, who is a pro-democracy activist and radio presenter, was convicted under the sedition laws in Hong Kong for the crime of criticising the Chinese Communist Party on radio. This is part of a long-running clampdown by the Chinese Communist Party on democracy activists, including Mr. Jimmy Lai. The International Federation of Journalists has now advised that journalists in Hong Kong need support. More than 20 people working in the media in Hong Kong have been arrested and detained for simply doing their job. We have often spoken out in this House against the abuse of human rights by the Chinese Communist Party and it is in that context that I once again highlight what has been happening in Hong Kong.