Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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398. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions taken following the mass arrest of pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1510/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government is closely following the situation in Hong Kong following the mass arrest of over 50 people on charges pursuant to the National Security Law, in relation to pro-democracy primary elections held in July 2020.

The EU issued a statement on 7 January which called for the immediate release of those arrested, and urged the authorities to respect Hong Kong's rule of law, human rights, democratic principles, and high degree of autonomy under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Ireland fully supports this statement.

My Department, through our Consulate General in Hong Kong and our Embassy in Beijing, will remain alert to the situation in Hong Kong and, along with our EU partners, will continue to raise our concerns with Chinese authorities.