Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, Senator David Norris urged "some future Taoiseach" to nominate Mr Tom Hyland, co-ordinator of the Ireland East Timor Solidarity Campaign, as one of the Taoiseach's 11 nominees.
During a debate on a motion by Senator Norris, he said that this would be "a significant signal" to dictators like the former President Suharto of Indonesia that Ireland takes human rights abuses seriously.
Replying to the debate, Mr Tom Kitt, Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (with special responsibility for international trade) said a postponed EU troika visit to East Timor would now take place between June 27th and 30th.
Senator Brendan Ryan urged the Minister to review "the morality of our armaments industry", saying that one Irish company, making electronic sensor equipment used for military purposes, would also welcome guidance.