Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will take action in relation to the situation in Tibet and challenge the Chinese authorities on this matter. [11744/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet, and deplore the loss of life there and in other regions of China. These concerns have been directly conveyed to the Chinese Ambassador in Dublin, and my Department has remained in close contact with the Chinese Embassy on this issue.

I also met with representatives of the Tibet Support Group-Ireland on 1 April. I have also carefully noted the contents of a letter of petition presented to my Department by members of the Tibetan community in Ireland on 31 March.

I again call on all sides to exercise the maximum restraint and for the release of imprisoned peaceful protesters. It is important that the facts of what has occurred are established and, in this regard, I would again strongly urge the Chinese authorities to allow full and free access by the media and independent observers.

The EU Presidency, on behalf of the member states, also made clear in its concerns in a statement on 17 March. Contacts with the Chinese authorities on this issue have continued in Brussels and Beijing.

The unrest, and the regrettable violence directed at ethnic Chinese in Tibet, and their homes and business, shows the deep feelings of the people of Tibet and their wish to preserve their unique culture and identity, and to protect their basic human rights. I have long advocated dialogue between the Chinese Government and representatives of the Dalai Lama as the best means to address issues relating to Tibetan religious and cultural identity. I would note, in this regard, the Dalai Lama's public commitment to non-violence and to the autonomy, not independence, of Tibet. Now, more than ever, I believe that this dialogue should be stepped up. This was also the main message from a substantial discussion of the situation in Tibet during an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brdo last weekend.

Finally, I would note that our concerns regarding human rights in China are raised on a regular basis in bilateral contacts with the Government of China. In these discussions, we continue to raise our concerns about the practice of religion and the preservation of cultural identity in Tibet.