Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8, 9, 29, 35, 44, 46 and 51 together.

The Government remains deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet. I have already outlined in my earlier answer the Government's stance on Tibet, which the Minister, through statements and through the Department's ongoing contacts with the Chinese authorities, has sought to address.

Regarding the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, no decision has yet been taken regarding Government representation. However, it remains the Minister's view that open and frank dialogue, both on a bilateral basis, as well as through the EU, rather than a boycott of the games, remains the best and most productive manner of engaging China on issues relating to human rights.

Ireland, with our EU partners, has stressed the importance of dialogue between Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama. The Minister welcomes last week's announcement on the resumption of such talks. We hope that both sides will use this opportunity to seek a sustainable solution addressing the protection of Tibetan religious and cultural identity within China.

The Minister addressed these points directly with the Chinese ambassador during a meeting with him on 16 April, noting the considerable concern among the Irish public on this issue. He also met with representatives of the Tibet Support Group — Ireland on 1 April to discuss with them their concerns regarding the current situation, and how these might be addressed. On 28 April 2008, senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs met with Mrs Kesang Takla, a representative of the Dalai Lama. Depending on his schedule, the Minister would also be willing to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, should he visit Ireland, in his capacity as a revered international spiritual leader.

On the wider issue of human rights in China, the Government continues to take these issues very seriously. Our concerns are raised on a regular basis in bilateral contacts with the Government of China, and the Department of Foreign Affairs has remained in regular contact with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin in recent weeks over the situation in Tibet. Discussions in this regard take place at official level in Dublin and in Beijing. In these discussions we continue to raise issues regarding the religious practice, freedom of expression and the preservation of the cultural identity of Tibet.

The role of China in regard to international issues such as Burma and Darfur is also regularly raised in bilateral contacts. In this regard, the Minister recognises and welcomes the efforts China has made to encourage greater co-operation from the Governments of Sudan and Burma with the international community in seeking to resolve the very serious human rights and humanitarian situations in both countries.

We continue to urge ongoing and intensified engagement by China on these issues which also form part of the regular dialogue between the EU and China, particularly through the biannual human rights dialogue, the next round of which will take place on 15 May 2008.

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