Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Does he condemn it?

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Deputy Micheál Martin:I emphasise that this position does not detract, in any way, from our long-standing concerns on the situation in Xinjiang or our commitment to upholding human rights globally. We continue to work with our partners in the EU as to how we can best move this issue forward in respect of proper assessment from the EU on the ground, following up on Michelle Bachelet's work. We have no intention of stepping back from the consistent focus on the High Commissioner’s findings. We will continue to pursue her work.

On 13 January, the people of Taiwan held democratic elections. Ireland, along with its EU partners, adheres to, and will continue to adhere to, the one-China policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. We recognise the People’s Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections with Taiwan or the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral forums. We are concerned by increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Any instability in the strait has the potential for broad and devastating security, political and economic consequences. That is very real. In our interactions with Chinese authorities, Ireland is consistently clear that the maintenance of stability and the status quoin relation to Taiwan is critical.

We encourage restraint and strong communication channels, including between China and the United States. I welcome recent meetings between the two countries, particularly at military level where channels have been reopened and guardrails put around that relationship in the interest of global stability and security. Any attempt to change the status quoby force would not be acceptable.

Finally, I wish to address the question of economic security that has been raised. My speech in May also addressed the emerging process of "derisking", framing Ireland and the European Union’s approach to this as building economic and systemic resilience. Senator Ward also raised this question. I made clear the Government’s obligation to assess areas of systemic vulnerability or risk in the relationship with China. I also underlined the importance of working with our EU partners to this end.

Ireland’s economy is remarkably open, as indeed is Europe’s economy. Our approaches to trade are anchored in global trading norms. Ireland and our EU partners want a balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial economic relationship with China, with a level playing field for Irish and EU businesses. There was recently an EU-China summit. Trade is a competency of the Commission. We can be sneering about trade, suggesting it is something like Yeats's fumbling in the greasy till or whatever.