Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has withdrawn fully from commitments made to open diplomatic relations with Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26880/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As I stated in my reply to parliamentary questions on this issue on 8 March 2005, any decision to proceed with an exchange of ambassadors with Burma will have to await positive and significant moves by the Burmese Government. Ireland announced the establishment of diplomatic relations on a non-resident basis with Burma on 13 February 2004. However, given that the progress which had been anticipated in 2004, most notably the meeting of an open and unhindered national convention and the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, did not materialise, the Government decided to put on hold the exchange of ambassadors. The Government's continuing goal, and that of the EU, remains the release and restoration of liberty to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and others under house arrest, the return of democracy to Burma, an end to human rights violations, and the realisation of peace and prosperity for the long suffering people of Burma.