Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, under the rubric of constructive engagement, held between his Department and representatives of the Chinese Government in advance of the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing; the progress made in particular areas in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30890/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In our regular contacts with the Chinese authorities at various levels we have stressed the importance that Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion. We have stressed our hope that every effort possible will be made to facilitate freedom of movement and expression, including the right to peaceful protest, in the run-up to and during the Olympic Games in Beijing next year. We have also highlighted the opportunity which China's hosting of the Games presents, in terms of show-casing a positive, progressive image to the world. While I welcome the decision by the Chinese Government from the beginning of this year to temporarily relax some restrictions on foreign journalists in China for a period up to and including the Games, I believe it would be a significant gesture if these rules were made permanent and expanded to include local journalists, which would allow for a deeper understanding of China and its development.

Human rights issues continue to be a constant and important point of dialogue with the Chinese authorities at both bilateral and European Union levels. The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue is the agreed formal framework through which the EU raises its concerns with China about general human rights issues, as well as individual human rights cases. The Dialogue, the most recent round of which took place in Beijing on 17 October 2007, has allowed the EU to engage with China on such issues as freedom of expression, the death penalty, the independence of the judiciary, freedom of religion and minority rights. The EU has used the Dialogue to press its case for Chinese ratification of such international instruments as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and, in that context, reform of the criminal justice system. Significant individual human rights cases are also raised and followed up in subsequent contacts with the Chinese authorities.

Human rights and the role of China in international issues such as Burma and Darfur, as well as development issues, including Africa, will be important topics for the upcoming EU-China Summit, due to be held in Beijing on 28 November 2007.