International sanctions - Which of us can throw first stone?

Every time a minister visits a country that offends Western sensibilities, they are encouraged to challenge their hosts and suggest that they mend their ways.

There is an absurdity about this set piece, an air of habitual and cynical playing to the home gallery while knowing that the gesture is essentially meaningless — and sometimes even counterproductive.

That is especially so when the representatives of a small country like Ireland — population 4.6m — visit a place like China — population 1.351bn — and suggest they need to be more like us, more tolerant and inclusive.