Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the view of Ireland regarding the present legal status of Taiwan under international law; and his views on its current application for UN membership and associated bodies. [24918/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In common with most Member States of the UN, and all EU partners, Ireland adheres to a 'one-China policy', recognising the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. The joint communiqué issued in 1979 on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the People's Republic of China reaffirmed the 'one-China policy'. Ireland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Ireland opposes efforts by the authorities in Taiwan to apply for UN membership under the name of Taiwan as incompatible with the 'one-China policy'. In its Resolution 2758 of 25 October 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole representative of China.

However, with our EU partners, Ireland continues to be active in seeking to ensure Taiwan's meaningful participation in international technical bodies, for example the World Health Organisation (WHO), to ensure there is no geographical gap in the important work that they carry out.