asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any protest was made by the Government to the Chinese Government regarding the recent expulsion from China and subsequent death of an Irish nun; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expulsion of Irish Nun from China.
9.
As was announced by my Department on 9th September, our Embassy at London delivered a note of protest to the Office of the Chargé d'Affaires of the People's Republic of China.
The note expressed the strongest possible protest by the Government against the humiliations and ill-treatment which the Chinese authorities permitted Sister Eamonn O'Sullivan to suffer at the hands of the "Red Guards" and the manner of her expulsion, all of which led to her untimely death on her arrival in Hong Kong. The Government demanded that those responsible be punished and requested the Chinese authorities to ensure that adequate protection be given in future to Irish citizens in the People's Republic of China.
The Office of the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires refused to accept the protest and returned it by post to our Embassy.
Is there any further action that could be taken?
I do not think there is any effective action which we could take.