Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the findings of the recent publication, [i]State Growth and Social Exclusion in Tibet: the Challenges of Recent Economic Growth[/i], that Tibetans suffer the highest poverty rates in China and that most investment in the Tibet Autonomous Region reflects strategic military value for the Chinese rather than human need; and the representations he has made to the Chinese in view of these findings. [23901/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the book State Growth and Social Exclusion in Tibet: the Challenges of Recent Economic Growth by Mr. Andrew Fischer and the claims he makes based on his research. I raised the issue of Tibet and recent developments there during the official talks with Vice Premier, Huang Ju, in Dublin on 16 November 2004. In response, the Vice Premier said that the channels of communications between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama were open and China would continue to work to ensure peace and development in Tibet.

An EU troika of human rights experts visited Tibet between 20 and 23 September 2004. Ireland will encourage similar contacts during the forthcoming British Presidency. The Government has consistently called on the Chinese authorities to respect fully the rights of the Tibetan people, including their socio-economic and human rights. We will continue to address our ongoing concerns regarding Tibet, both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU-China dialogue.