Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's position on the crisis in Burma. [22079/07]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will actively support the pro-democracy protestors in Burma and ensure the safety of the Buddhist monks. [21589/07]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21851/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 299, 301 and 309 together.

As the current crisis in Burma has unfolded I have, in my statements of 24 August and 24 and 26 September, made the views of the Government absolutely clear. They have been reiterated in a national statement by Ireland at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 27 September.

We have expressed our full solidarity with the people of Burma and our admiration for the courageous monks, nuns and other citizens who are exercising their right to free speech and free assembly. The violent response of the Burmese authorities, which has now resulted in numerous deaths, hundreds injured, and which threatens to plunge Burma into chaos, is utterly unacceptable and reprehensible.

The Burmese regime must immediately end its violence and repression of protesters. It must also, at long last, engage in a meaningful process of dialogue to bring about democratisation and national reconciliation. I repeat the call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, including all those detained over the course of the recent protests.

I intend to highlight the issue in my address today to the United Nations General Assembly, and in a meeting with Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon. I welcome the consultations that have taken place in the Security Council, under French chairmanship, but regret the fact that it has not yet been possible for the Security Council to consider the matter formally. The Burmese regime must engage constructively with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy, Dr Ibrahim Gambari, and I welcome the fact that Dr Gambari has been able to visit the country over the weekend, and to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders. I hope that Burmese authorities will take this opportunity to cooperate with this good offices mission, and to respond positively and actively. I also met with the Chairperson and representatives of Burma Action Ireland on 28 September, which among other things allowed me to hear the views of Burmese in exile.

It is vitally important that the international community maintain pressure for positive change by the Burmese authorities at this time. I have appealed strongly and directly to the Foreign Ministers of China and India to use their influence in this regard and it would appear that the Chinese authorities, in particular, are conscious of their responsibilities. I welcome China's diplomacy behind the scenes, and in particular its role in facilitating Burmese cooperation with Dr Gambari. I will also be discussing the issue tomorrow in Washington with the US Secretary of State.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) also has an important role to play in convincing the Burmese government to respect the basic human rights of its own people. In this regard, I very much welcome the unprecedented statement delivered by the Chairman in Office of ASEAN in New York on 27 September 2007, which expressed ASEAN members' revulsion at the use of violent force by the Burmese authorities, and called for utmost restraint and renewed efforts towards a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma/Myanmar. I also highlighted the issue in a meeting yesterday with the Indonesian Foreign Minister in New York.

Our Ambassadors in the region have made demarches to a number of Foreign Ministries seeking the cooperation of their governments in bringing pressure to bear on the regime in Burma. Senior officials in my Department have delivered similar messages to Ambassadors from the region based in Dublin.

Ireland and our EU partners apply a range of sanctions and restrictive measures to Burma, referred to as the EU Common Position. In a statement of 25 September 2007, the EU underlined to the Burmese authorities that it would not hesitate to reinforce and strengthen the existing sanctions regime, should violence be used against the unarmed and peaceful demonstrators. Now that this has occurred, options for an extension of sanctions are under urgent consideration. It would clearly be important that these be targeted against the régime, and not cause further suffering to the people of Burma.

Ireland will continue to work with all partners, including within the EU and UN, and with those countries which wield influence with the Burmese regime, to encourage positive change in Burma.