Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if expertise accrued in his Department in dealing with paramilitary organisations on this island will be offered to help the Spanish Government in potential upcoming negotiations with ETA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13105/06]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the historic opportunity to promote conflict resolution in the Basque country afforded by ETA's ceasefire, he will take steps at the EU level to bring about the removal of the Basque nationalist political party Batasuna from the EU's list of terrorist organisations. [13083/06]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the recent ceasefire called by ETA; the discussions he and his Department have held or plan to hold with Spanish officials over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13104/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 98 and 131 together.

I welcome the announcement by ETA of a permanent ceasefire from 24 March 2006. This is a very positive development. Any move to a permanent ceasefire and the acceptance of purely democratic means is to be welcomed. The next steps in the process are for the Spanish Government and elected representatives to consider.

ETA has been included on the EU list of terrorist organisations since December 2001. By a unanimous decision of EU member states, Batasuna was added to this list on 4 June 2003. In taking this decision, the Council was satisfied that Batasuna was a terrorist organisation and that it was an alias of ETA. The question of whether ETA and-or Batasuna will be removed from the EU's list of terrorist organisations is, in the first instance, for the Spanish Government to propose.

While there are similarities between all conflict situations, each has its own specific characteristics and requirements. The peace process on the island of Ireland has followed our own roadmap and addressed issues particular to our own situation. It has been a long and challenging process and we are ready to share our experience if this would be helpful and if we are invited to do so by the Spanish Government. Indeed, the Taoiseach has already extended an invitation to Prime Minister Zapatero to visit Dublin.

We in Ireland have a particular understanding of the value of peace, and I wish the Spanish people and Government every success in the process which is now beginning.