I raise the terrible situation for women and girls in Iran. For nearly five weeks now, the Iranian regime has been using particularly brutal violence against its own citizens following the brutal killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on 16 September by the so-called morality police. We have seen the start of a new episode in a long and dark chapter of Iran's history. We have seen hundreds of Iranian girls and women beaten, arrested, tortured and killed in the protests that have ensued since. Some of these girls have been as young as 14 or 15 years of age. I spoke at a vigil for Mahsa Amini in Trinity College two weeks ago. It was organised by Iranian students here who were afraid to show their own identity and spoke while masked because of their fear of being revealed to the Iranian regime. I also heard this week from a group of Irish-Iranian citizens who came here years ago in pursuit of a better life. These are educated, skilled professionals who have contributed significantly and are extremely grateful for the opportunity Ireland has given them. They have asked us to show our support for those standing up against the brutality-----

Go raibh maith agat.

-----of the Iranian regime. I ask the Taoiseach to cut diplomatic ties with Iran, expel the Iranian ambassador-----

Thank you. The Taoiseach to respond.

-----and take significant action internationally against the Iranian regime.

I agree with Deputy's raising of this very serious issue. I salute her for doing so as it is important this House reflects not just the deep concern but the outrage at what is happening to young women in Iran, particularly the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Her death was quite shocking and cannot be justified in any shape or form. There has been a very natural and strong response from the Iranian people and Iranian women. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, raised our concerns on the matter directly with the Iranian foreign minister on 21 September and again on 6 October. He sought an independent investigation and again called on Iran to adhere to its international obligations, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

At the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday, ministers agreed to add 11 individuals and four entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in the context of-----

We are over time.

-----resisting Iran's human rights-sanctioned regime. I do not believe cutting diplomatic relations is the most effective way of dealing with this issue right now.