A spokesman for the Chinese ambassador said in a statement: “The Irish Government has made it clear that Ireland adheres to, and will continue to adhere to, the one-China policy. Visiting Taiwan as a member of the Irish parliament, claiming Taiwan as a ‘country’, meeting with Taiwan political figures and separatists seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ are in clear violation of the Irish Government’s One China Policy.”

FF Senator Gerry Horkan said “we want to have good relations with both mainland China and Taiwan. We understand the one-China policy and are happy to comply with it.”

Independent Senator Sharon Keogan said “we’re delighted to promote Ireland as a gateway to Europe for Taiwan”.

In 2018, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl wrote to Oireachtas members to “remind members of the current position with regard to Taiwan”.

In his letter, he said that “active engagement between members of the Oireachtas and Taiwan can damage the relations between Ireland and China and is in conflict to the long-standing one-China policy.

“As Ceann Comhairle, I have no intention of telling Oireachtas members who they, as elected public representatives, can meet or what functions they can attend. That would never be my wish.

“However, I am aware that there continues to be engagement between some Oireachtas members and the Taiwanese authorities. This can cause serious offence and grave concern to our Chinese friends and has the potential to cause serious damage to Ireland’s developing relationship with China as well as being a danger to Ireland’s national interest.

“I write to members merely to remind them of the one-China policy long in place, and to highlight the implications that a parliamentary engagement with the Taiwanese authorities can have on the excellent relations [ this before the Richard O'Halloran thing] currently enjoyed by Ireland with China.”