Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 7: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the participation by Ireland in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in particular on governmental or political participation in the opening ceremonies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15972/08]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 8: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recent discussions he has had with his European colleagues with respect to the issue of attendance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16649/08]

Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 9: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any Government Member will attend the official opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympics in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16628/08]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 29: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts as he has had with different authorities in relation to recent events in Tibet; if he will have a meeting with the Dalai Lama if requested; and the details of the contacts or representations he has received on recent events in Tibet, or associated with the forthcoming 2008 Olympics, from the ambassador of the People's Republic of China. [16830/08]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 35: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has held discussions with the Chinese Government following the recent walk out by the Chinese Ambassador from the Green Party conference; his position on the situation in China and Tibet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16886/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has discussed the forthcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing; if the Government will be represented at the opening ceremony at the Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16866/08]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 46: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the human rights record of China within its own borders including Tibet and externally in its support for regimes in Zimbabwe, Burma and Sudan; and the steps taken by Ireland individually and as a member of the EU to bring these concerns to the attention of the Government of China. [15971/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will endorse the criticism of the Chinese Government's policy towards Tibet and the call by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the Chinese Government to enter into talks with the Dalai Lama; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15071/08]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Minister of State agree that if the Chinese authorities entered into meaningful dialogue with the Tibetan representatives and with a clear indication of the direction of such talks and a clear remit, it would certainly assist the Government in coming to a decision whether it would attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games?

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is correct that it would be very helpful to the entire international community. I visited China recently and I know the extraordinary importance which the ordinary Chinese, let alone the Chinese official and government agencies, attach to the Beijing Olympic Games and to the Olympic events taking place in other parts of China. There is a real excitement on the streets and it is a tragedy that these issues cannot be resolved. It would be good if there was proper dialogue and it would be in everybody's interests, not least China's own, if there was a dialogue and more openness.

There was a complete lack of awareness in the West to what was in Tibet because nobody could look in. As we know in the first few tragic days of the events in Lhasa, it was Han Chinese who were slaughtered and put to death in some gruesome ways. It is in nobody's interests to have such a closed situation. The cultural reality is different from the cultural reality in this country. If we know anything on this island we know that all conflict is ultimately brought to resolution through discussion.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Some years ago I visited Beijing and Lhasa with other members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Does the Minister of State agree that great caution needs to be taken about accepting news of the Han deaths that have been reported from Tibet?

It is a complex issue but will the Minister of State agree that in terms of international law what is taking place in Tibet is the consequence of an occupation? There has been a forced migration into Tibet, an arrival of Han people into Lhasa who have more or less monopolised the commercial sector. There has been interference with people in the monasteries and suppression of religious freedom. Apart from the issue of the one China policy, there are issues of basic human rights with respect to religious expression, freedom of speech, access to the outside community and the right of the international community to be present in Lhasa.

Desmond O'Malley, a former Member of the House, accompanied us to Beijing where we asked questions about disappearances. The former Minister, David Andrews, accompanied me further on to Lhasa, where we did not get satisfactory answers on all issues. We got satisfactory answers to some questions, but the majority of our questions were not satisfactorily answered, particularly those relating to disappearances, arrests and punishment.

There seems to be consensus on the value of talks. I would make two comments about that. Such talks must be at a meaningful level, rather than at a low level and must include the end prospect of a direct discussion involving His Holiness the Dalai Lama. My second comment relates to the EU-China dialogue, which takes place on 15 May. It is important that significant progress is made at that if we are to have the fruitful results of dialogue that might bring peace in both places.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I agree with the Deputy that dialogue must move beyond the pro forma. I also agree that reports of what is or is not happening in Tibet are by their nature, because there is no international observance, ones in which one cannot place much credibility. This is a tragedy and it is not in China's interest that this should continue to be the case. As the Deputy said, there were disputes as to who did what and when, particularly with regard to the deaths of the Han Chinese. The death of any individual is unacceptable. There must be restraint on both sides and an absolute rejection of violence.

I find it very interesting that if people were to listen more closely to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, they would find he has been very measured in his comments. He stresses, for example, that it is important to find a resolution for Tibet within the one China policy and he seeks dialogue with the Chinese people. He has made it clear that he seeks genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the framework of the Chinese constitution. There is great measure in those comments.

When we first began to get wind of the violence, death and destruction, the Dalai Lama made it clear that he too believed there was nothing to be achieved by violence. Would one expect anything less from someone of his standing?

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Was the issue of Tibet raised at the GAERC meeting, because as far as I recall it was not on the official agenda, which is somewhat strange? Without trying to undermine the potential influence of the Government, I do not see discussions at member state level as particularly useful. However, discussions at EU level could be very useful in terms of extending and exerting political influence on China.

While I have major concerns about abuses of human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of religious practice etc., there are two sides to the issue. It is very easy to jump on a particular bandwagon which may be populist or popular or follow a media-driven agenda. I would not like to see that happen and would certainly not like to see it impact on a sporting event. I have a strong view that sports and politics should be kept separate. In fairness to the athletes who have been preparing for the Olympics and who will travel to Beijing, they should have their rights respected so that their hard work over the past number of years is not undermined by this controversy. At the same time, we must try to ensure that we can exercise some political influence over China.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I take all the points the Deputy makes. With regard to the General Affairs and External Relations Council, as the Deputy knows, I was engaged on the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill in this House and did not attend. A wide-ranging discussion always takes place on the issues of the moment and I have no doubt that was done. I agree that while individual hand-wringing may make us feel better, effective negotiations, particularly through Europe, can be extremely good. While China has great respect and regard for Ireland, the reality is that it has respect and regard for 27 member states. This is the point that Deputy Creighton and I have been making inside and outside the House, which is that, through the European Union, we can amplify the concerns of the Irish people best on issues such as abuses of human rights, whether in Zimbabwe or Tibet, which also experiences problems. The EU is engaged in this on an ongoing basis.