December 2, 2004

The Irish Premier Mr. Ahern said he would raise [the issue of] human rights abuses if he visited China next year.

"Human rights issues are a constant point of discussion with the Chinese authorities...and we will continue to raise them," Mr. Ahern added.

[...]

Mr. Ahern said that when the Chinese officials visited Ireland in recent years, he had raised the issue of human rights.

"We actively called for the release of the Falun Gong prisoners two years ago, which was deeply appreciated by the Chinese community in Ireland," he added.

"We succeeded in a number of high profile cases. When Ireland held the EU presidency earlier this year, we gave a commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200412/23573.html