Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
260. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has raised concerns about the imprisonment of a person (details supplied) with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11941/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with the British Foreign Secretary in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11977/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra263. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with her colleagues on the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11979/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra264. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had at an EU level in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. [11980/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra265. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she proposes to raise the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong at an EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11981/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any diplomatic work ongoing within her Department in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11983/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra267. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she proposes to meet with the family of Jimmy Lai in relation to his sentencing in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11985/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266 and 267 together.
Ireland has repeatedly expressed our concerns about human rights in Hong Kong, including the National Security Law, lack of media freedom, and Mr. Lai’s case specifically. Following the sentencing of Mr. Lai to a 20 year prison term on 9 February, I echo the call by the EU and others for Mr. Lai to be immediately released, especially in consideration of his advanced age and health condition. As the EU statement on Mr. Lai’s conviction in December pointed out, developments in the case are emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
Officials in the Consulate General of Ireland in Hong Kong have been following the case of Mr. Jimmy Lai closely, alongside our EU colleagues. The recent developments in this case further strengthen our concerns that the introduction of the National Security Law in June 2020 and the subsequent legislation adopted in March 2023 are having a chilling effect on human rights in Hong Kong.
Ireland has regularly raised human rights issues in China at the UN. Ireland’s national statement at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council reiterated our concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression, and called for the right to freedom of assembly and association to be respected in Hong Kong. Ireland supported the EU’s HRC statement, which specifically highlighted the case of Mr. Lai and called upon the authorities to consider his immediate release in light of his deteriorating health condition. At the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of China at the HRC in 2024, Ireland called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists.
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Chinese Ambassador since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, Ireland regularly raises human rights issues, including Mr. Lai’s case, with Chinese interlocutors. Most recently, the Taoiseach raised Mr. Lai’s case directly with the senior Chinese leadership during his visit to China in January.
The Foreign Affairs Council does not usually discuss individual cases, but Ireland regularly engages with our EU partners on issues regarding human rights, including in regards to China. For instance we welcomed the resumption of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue last June.
I know that British Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, shares our deep concern about the situation of Jimmy Lai, and our officials have been in contact on it. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also raised this issue at the highest level in China.
Officials from my Department have met on a number of occasions with members of Mr. Lai’s international legal team, most recently, in January this year. Officials have also met with family members of Mr. Lai.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that human rights remains on the agenda with China. We know our EU colleagues and other like-minded partners will do so also. We will continue to raise our concerns with regard to the situation in Hong Kong, and the case of Mr. Lai, both directly in our contacts with China, and in relevant UN fora.
