Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The way in which our relations with China will develop will be in line with the strategic partnership that has been agreed during the course of the Taoiseach's recent visit to China. This is a significant development in our relationship and it sets down the framework for the contacts between the two countries on a range of political, economic and human dimension issues. Part and parcel of that agreement is a joint commitment with regard to respect for human rights and an understanding that there will be a continuing dialogue between China and Ireland on human rights issues, democracy and rule of law. That will be at a bilateral level.

In line with this, there is also dialogue between the European Union and China on human rights issues. I have had the opportunity of meeting a number of representatives of the Chinese Government here. The most significant of these meetings was the recent visit of the Vice-President of China. At all of these meetings, human rights issues are raised and discussed. There are also opportunities and arrangements whereby human rights issues, particularly individual cases, are raised at official level.

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