Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure peaceful protests are permitted to take place in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25424/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Brutal repression, mass arrests and intimidation cannot hide the fact that over the past two months, the people of Burma have made clear their unequivocal demand for democracy, national reconciliation and an end to military dictatorship. The Government and people stand firmly behind them. As the crisis escalated, the Government was active in support of the Burmese people. As well as the series of statements I made as the crisis in Burma unfolded, I wrote to the Foreign Ministers of China and India, calling on them to use their influence to stop the violence in Burma and facilitate positive change. In my address to the UN General Assembly in New York on 2 October, and in bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary General and international Foreign Ministers, including the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, I highlighted our concerns. I also held detailed discussions on the issue with US Secretary of State Rice and British Foreign Secretary Miliband. Equally, Irish diplomats in Asia, as well as at the UN in New York and Geneva, have been active in conveying these messages to all relevant parties, including Security Council members and Burma's neighbours.

Ireland has also been to the fore in seeking a strong EU response to events in Burma. Last week, the EU agreed a series of additional targeted sanctions, which should increase pressure on the regime, and it made clear its willingness to impose further sanctions. At the same time, Ministers also made clear to the regime the benefits that might accrue from genuine, substantive change. The priority is the implementation of a sustainable and meaningful political process in Burma leading to democratisation and national reconciliation. This must include the military, the democratic opposition and ethnic groups. The main track to achieving this is the process initiated by the UN Secretary General and his Special Representative, Dr. Ibrahim Gambari. I greatly welcome the fact that Dr. Gambari is again in the region. The Government believes the opportunity provided by this good office's mission must be seized by all sides.

The role of Burma's neighbours is essential. Chinese and ASEAN involvement has helped gain the agreement of the Burmese regime to accept a visit by Dr. Gambari, and to allow real access to him. Ireland, together with its EU partners, will continue to use every avenue to encourage continued active engagement by Burma's neighbours, and all who have influence on the regime, for positive change.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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What response did the Minister receive to his letters to China and India? Is it correct that the Minister's predecessor established diplomatic relations with Burma during the Irish Presidency of the EU in 2004 on the basis the Burmese regime would promote democratisation and national reconciliation? Where stands the seven-step road map for democratisation that was set out? Does the Government have contact with the regime in Burma? Has the Minister been in contact with the EU in recent days because I am given to understand a UN expert on human rights will be allowed into Burma? Will he use his good offices to ensure such an expert can establish what happened to the monks who we believe were imprisoned and the several thousand political prisoners in the country and he or she will have the opportunity to speak to the leader of the Burmese opposition who is under house arrest?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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We do not have diplomatic relations with Burma and no steps have been taken in this regard. It would be totally unimaginable in the circumstances that we would move in that respect. Because of that, we have no contact with the Burmese authorities and any contacts are made with our partners.

With regard to the response from the Chinese and the Indians, they listened to our views on this. The international community was very glad of the strong statement issued by the ASEAN countries at the height of the troubles. It was felt they might not have been able to issue the statement but the influence of the Chinese and the Indians is critical and they were parties to that substantial statement.

On the question of the number of Irish citizens in Burma, two have come to our attention and it is understood both are safe. There was a suggestion that an Irish-born nun was missing, but we have established that she is safe.

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, is permitted to enter the country in the near future, and Dr. Gambari will go there some time in November. At the EU meeting last week, Ireland strongly supported a proposal by the Swedish Foreign Minister for an EU special envoy to work with Dr. Gambari. We are also in favour of the Swedish proposal for a contact group made up of neighbouring countries in the international community to deal with the Burma issue. Likewise, we strongly supported suggestions that further sanctions be imposed on the Burmese authorities. I will travel to Japan at the end of next month and will use that opportunity to raise this issue with the Japanese Foreign Minister, who has expressed a keen interest in it.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Have any Irish companies invested in Burma? Were the responses of the Indian and Chinese Governments made in writing? If so, is it possible to make those responses available in the Oireachtas Library?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To the best of my knowledge, the responses did not come in writing. Normal contact is maintained with the relevant embassies. I wrote to the Foreign Ministers but I understand there has been no response. If any is given, I will relate that to the Deputy.

There is no trade between Ireland and Burma.