Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the issue of human rights on his official visit to China and Hong Kong for St Patrick's Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3497/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland regularly raises human rights issues with third countries, including with the People’s Republic of China. Human rights issues are discussed with the Chinese authorities during bilateral meetings, including at the highest levels such as the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland in 2015; through EU engagement with China; and through multilateral channels. As planning is still in the early stages for my visit to China for St Patrick’s Day 2018, it is not yet possible for me to comment precisely on the programme. The Deputy will note that the purpose of Ministerial visits overseas for St Patrick’s Day is to promote Ireland and Irish business across the world. The promotion of Ireland’s “global footprint” expansion has also been identified as a key priority this year, as well as the reinforcing of messages on Brexit, Northern Ireland, Ireland’s campaign to become a member of the UN Security Council in 2021-22, and the strength of the Irish economy.