Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports the renewal of the European Union's common position on Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13027/06]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest contacts that have been made with the military regime in Burma with regard to the detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13032/06]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the diplomatic relationship between Ireland and Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13005/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 73 and 143 together.

Ireland takes a consistently strong position on Burma in relevant contacts, in the European Union framework and at the United Nations. Together with our EU partners, we avail of all opportunities to condemn the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and deplore the lack of progress towards democracy.

The EU applies a range of sanctions and restrictive measures against Burma, referred to as the EU common position, which are due to expire on 30 April and which are currently up for renewal. In view of the absence of any progress in Burma, Ireland is strongly supporting the renewal of the measures for a further year. I am confident that this will happen.

The most recent EU meeting with Burma was an EU-Burma informal Troika meeting at official level, held in London on 30 November in the margins of the Asia-Europe senior officials meeting, at which my Department was represented. The EU side recalled our concern at the situation in Burma and the EU's desire to see real progress in the roadmap towards democracy. It called for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

I was delighted that the Olof Palme Memorial Fund in Sweden, established in memory of the assassinated former Swedish Prime Minister, awarded Aung San Suu Kyi the Olof Palme Prize 2005 for her unyielding fight for a democratic Burma. The prize was received on her behalf at a ceremony in Stockholm on 28 February. The Nobel laureate has previously been honoured with the freedom of both Dublin and Galway cities. The EU issued a statement on 28 February acknowledging Aung San Suu Kyi's tireless peaceful struggle and deeply regretting that the deprival of her personal freedom prevented her from accepting the award in person. It urged her immediate release and that of all other political prisoners. It also reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting national reconciliation and respect for human rights and democracy in Burma. It called on the Burmese régime to enter into a genuine dialogue with the National League for Democracy and with ethnic representatives.

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 Aung San Suu Kyi, did not materialise, the Government decided to put on hold the exchange of ambassadors. Any decision to proceed with an exchange of ambassadors with Burma will have to await positive and significant moves by the Burmese Government.

I assure the Deputies that I will continue to raise concerns about Burma on all possible occasions and to work for real progress there.