Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts the European Union is making to secure the release of Ms. Ingrid Betancourt and other political hostages held by the FARC guerillas in Colombia. [35640/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government, together with our EU partners, has consistently condemned the practice of hostage-taking and kidnapping by the FARC guerrillas and other illegal armed groups in Colombia and continues to offer full support to the Colombian Government in its search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict and the release of all hostages.

Conclusions on Colombia were most recently adopted at the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 19 November 2007, in which I participated. In these Conclusions, the Council strongly condemned the violations of international humanitarian law that continue to be committed by illegal armed groups in Colombia. In this context, we demanded that they stop kidnapping and all other acts of terrorism or violence against the civilian population forthwith. The Council also reaffirmed the EU's solidarity with the Colombian government, the Colombian people and all victims of such acts.

The Council further expressed its hope that progress would be made in taking forward negotiations between the Colombian government and illegal armed groups, in order to reach a humanitarian agreement, to secure the release of all hostages, to end the armed conflict and to bring lasting peace to Colombia. In the same spirit, the Council welcomed all initiatives taken with the Colombian government's support with the objective of promoting a successful peace process.

Member States of the EU, in particular France and Spain, have over the last two years been engaged in efforts to assist in the facilitation of a humanitarian exchange resulting in a release of all hostages held by illegal armed groups. Most recently, renewed efforts have been made by the President of France, with the full support and encouragement of all the Member States of the EU, including Ireland.

Ireland will continue to support the Government of Colombia in its search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict, including through direct engagement with those illegal armed groups which may be prepared to negotiate. We will also continue to work with, and support the efforts of, our EU partners in promoting in every way possible a positive resolution to the plight of Ingrid Betancourt and all other kidnap victims in Colombia.