Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has concluded their investigations into the alleged human rights abuses being perpetrated by the Chinese Government against Falun Gong Practitioners; if his Department has been in contact with the Chinese Government regarding these allegations in order to request a response from them; the details of such contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4411/07]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will issue a travel warning to those wishing to travel to China for organ transplant operations in view of the significant evidence which suggests that interned Falun Gong practitioners are having organs forcibly removed to supply demand for such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4410/07]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the tone and content of recent bilateral discussions between the European Union and China; if the issue of the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners was debated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4333/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 53 and 88 together.

I view very seriously the allegations relating to the harvesting of live organs from Falun Gong practitioners. Enquiries on this issue have been made by the Department of Foreign Affairs within the EU and UN frameworks, as well as through our Embassy in Beijing.

A senior official from the Department met with Mr David Kilgour during his visit to Dublin last November to discuss the findings of the report prepared by him and Mr. Matas on behalf of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of the Falun Gong in China (CIPFG). I have asked that these contacts be maintained to ensure that I am kept properly informed on this issue. My Department is also in direct contact with representatives of the Falun Gong in Ireland. To date, no concrete evidence has been revealed to substantiate the allegations contained in this report. However, the matter is being kept under review by my officials and enquiries by the EU and other organisations are continuing.

For some time, concerns have been raised about the harvesting of organs of executed prisoners in China. The Chinese Government now state that this only occurs where the prior consent of the individuals has been obtained, but concerns about this practice remain. I am also aware of allegations of a trade in human organs in China generally. I would note that the sale of organs for transplant is illegal in China, and that the authorities state that they are firmly opposed to the illegal trade in human organs for transplant. In July last year, the Chinese Government introduced a regulation to govern the clinical use of body parts as well as the transplantation of body parts. I understand that they are in the process of drawing up ethical guidelines to cover the regulation of the organ donor and transplant market in general. I hope that these guidelines can be brought forward as soon as possible. Wherever this practice occurs, and whatever the circumstances, the illegal harvesting of, and trafficking in, human organs is a deplorable act.

As regards the specific issue of a travel warning raised by Deputy Murphy, I do not feel it appropriate for my Department to issue travel advice regarding organ transplant operations in China. As it stands, I am not aware of any cases of Irish people travelling to China for such operations. But I certainly would urge extreme caution to anyone considering travelling to the region for such purposes and advise them to inform themselves fully of all the issues, including Chinese Government regulations prohibiting the sale of organs.

Although allegations regarding the involuntary harvesting of human organs, including from the Falun Gong, remain unproven, I do believe that it is in the interests of the Chinese authorities to reassure the international community that everything possible is being done to ensure that all practices involving the use of human organs conform to international standards. It is also essential that the Chinese government seek to address the considerable human rights concerns that have been raised, including those relating to the situation of Falun Gong practitioners.

As reported to this House on many occasions previously, questions relating to the treatment of the Falun Gong — including specific cases — and issues relating to human rights, and fundamental freedom more generally, are raised regularly in our own bilateral dialogue with the Government of China and in the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue.

When I met with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on 12 May during a visit to Beijing, I had the opportunity to raise human rights issues and concerns, including the importance we attach to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. More recently, the Tánaiste held official talks on 25 September with visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan during which he also raised human rights issues and concerns. Discussions in this regard also take place at official level here and in Beijing.