Mr. David Cooney:

It is moving apace. As the Chairman knows, the European Union has lifted the restrictions on Myanmar, with the exception of the arms embargo. We are working very hard. There are some human rights issues. The Muslim minority community has been subject to a very heavy-handed crackdown and abuse.

The EU was very active in raising this issue. All I can say is the relationship at EU level has been transformed. From an Irish perspective we have been very active and our ambassador in Hanoi has been appointed on a non-resident basis. He has been there several times with companies, and a scoping mission is due to go out in several weeks to examine how we might develop or introduce assistance in Myanmar through the Irish Aid programme and how we might look to expand our trade connections. It will be a mixed delegation with people involved in trade and development. It is very positive but we recognise we still have problems and issues to address and we are very keen to help the authorities in Myanmar to do so.