Seanad bill urges Govt to adopt more ethical foreign policy

A private members bill is due to be introduced in the Seanad this evening calling on the Government to adopt an ethical foreign policy.

The move is being proposed by independent senators Joe O'Toole and David Norris.

They want Ireland to take a firm position with countries that engage in unacceptable forms of behaviour in areas like torture and human rights.

The pair say the Government is currently adopting a hypocritical stance when dealing with states that have bad reputations in respecting human rights, including the US and China.