Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the detention of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Sui Kyi in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33275/05]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the context of the tenth anniversary of the incarceration of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, the position in Burma and the Government's response to same; the action which the Government has undertaken and proposes in order to assist the Burmese people in their struggle against the regime which purports to represent them; the initiatives he has brought to the level of the United Nations and the European Union; the discussions, if any, he has held with Burma's pro-democracy movement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33509/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 30 together.

In a statement I made on Monday, 24 October to mark the tenth anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention under house arrest, I reiterated Ireland's clear position on Burma. Together with our EU partners we condemn the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and deplore the lack of progress towards democracy. Our goal remains an end to human rights violations there, the release and restoration of liberty to Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and the realisation of democracy, peace and prosperity for the long suffering people of Burma.

In my statement on behalf of Ireland to the 60th session of the UN General Assembly in September, I likewise referred to the continuing denial of human rights and democracy in Burma. I stated that this was most acutely symbolised by the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and that her ordeal was not forgotten by the people of Ireland.

I am aware of the report, Threat to the Peace: A Call for the UN Security Council to Act in Burma, which was commissioned by former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and published in September. While I am not aware of any plans by the UN Security Council to consider the question of Burma, we would be very pleased if this were to occur. Ireland will use all relevant opportunities to press for the UN Secretary General's Special Representative, Mr. Razali Ismail, and the Special Rapporteur on the situation on Human Rights in Burma, Mr Sergio Pinheiro, to be allowed to visit and to meet all the key players in Burma.

At both ministerial and official level, we maintain regular dialogue with those concerned with the situation in Burma. Last month, the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, met with a delegation from the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and associated groups, accompanied by representatives of Burma Action Ireland. In March I met with Harn Yawnghwe, Director of the European Office for the Development of Democracy in Burma, and Burma Action Ireland.

I can assure the Deputies that I will continue to highlight the plight of the Burmese people on all possible occasions and to work for real progress in Burma.