Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In my reply to Deputy Rabbitte, I explained that on this occasion I did not have discussions on Tibet. Before my last visit to China I met with Tibetan representatives in Ireland and made a formal presentation of their case when I was there. The dialogue which we asked for has now commenced. We strongly support the ingoing dialogue with the Chinese authorities and the representatives of the Dalai Lama. We will continue to urge China to fully engage with the process. That is what we fought for the last time and it is now happening.

Deputy Ó Caoláin is correct on the human rights issue in that there are still many restrictions of movement and continuing house arrests, including that of a former premier who died while I was on the visit. I have raised other cases with which we have had success, such as the two Falun Gong students from Trinity College, Dublin. While the Chinese authorities are slow to move on these issues, they are listening to what the world, particularly the EU, is saying. The formal arrangement of the EU-China dialogue on human rights allows individual cases to be raised. That is how the Government was able to help in the release of the two Trinity College, Dublin students several years ago.

I do not believe I will have to raise the issue of Guantanamo Bay, as President Bush strongly gives his views on it. For the last three years, the issue has been discussed by us. I have no doubt it will be raised again.

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