Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding peace negotiations in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26885/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2002 a formal ceasefire agreement was signed, with Norwegian facilitation, between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE. However, little progress has been made in talks between the parties since then. Following the tsunami in December 2004, which particularly affected Tamil regions in the north and east of Sri Lanka, renewed efforts were made to resume negotiations to settle the conflict. Despite the absence of progress in the negotiations and escalating violence, both sides continue to reaffirm their commitment to the peace process.

The Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, met with a delegation from the LTTE on 14 April last and expressed Ireland's dissatisfaction with the slow pace of progress in the peace process. The Minister of State also discussed Irish humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, including to the Tamil regions, and urged the LTTE to cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka in the reconstruction of affected areas.

Despite improved co-operation in areas affected by the tsunami, the incidence of violence in recent months has increased. On 12 August, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was murdered. At the time I issued a statement condemning this appalling act. I had met Minister Kadirgamar last January when I visited Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster. Mr. Kadirgamar, a Tamil, is believed by the SriLankan Government to have been assassinated by the LTTE. The Taoiseach wrote to the President of Sri Lanka conveying the condolences of the Government and the people of Ireland on the assassination.

Following the murder of Mr. Kadirgamar and other recent outbreaks of violence, the Norwegian Government sought, at the request of the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, to convene a meeting between them. Agreement could not be reached on a location for the meeting as the LTTE did not accept the venue proposed byNorway and it was decided to postpone attempts to bring the two sides together until immediately after the forthcoming Presidential elections due to be held on 17 November. In the meantime, the Norwegian Government has sent retired Major General Trond Furuhovde, former Head of Mission of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, to Sri Lanka as its Special Representative. Major General Furuhovde will consult with both parties on the security situation and underline the importance of respect for the ceasefire agreement.

On 19 September the co-chairs of the Tokyo donor conference, the EU, US, Norway and Japan, following a meeting in New York at Norway's request to discuss the situation following the assassination of Foreign Minister Kadirgamar, called on the LTTE to take immediate public steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change. They also called on the LTTE to end political assassinations and the recruitment of child soldiers.

The European Union issued a statement on 26 September condemning the continued use of violence and terrorism by the LTTE. The statement said that the pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only served to damage the LTTE's standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangered the peace process so much desired by the people of Sri Lanka. The EU is actively considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and in the meantime has agreed that delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU member states until further notice. I hope that following the presidential elections renewed efforts will be made by all sides to work towards a lasting peace.