Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 228: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will endorse the criticism of the Chinese Government's policy towards Tibet and his call for the Chinese Government to enter into talks with the Dalai Lama by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15020/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 229: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he was given advance warning of the speech made at a national conference regarding the Chinese Government's policy towards Tibet and the call for the Chinese Government to enter into talks with the Dalai Lama; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15021/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 230: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will join the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's call to enter into talks with the Dalai Lama; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15023/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 230, inclusive, together.

I am deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet, and deplore the loss of life there. In addressing events in Tibet, I have sought, both through my own statements as well as through my Department's ongoing contacts with the Chinese authorities, both in Dublin and Beijing, to:

urge all sides to exercise the maximum restraint, and to underline the importance Ireland attaches to the right of freedom of expression and peaceful protest;

urge the Chinese authorities to allow greater access by the media and independent observers to Tibet in order to facilitate an assessment of what has been happening there;

establish from the Chinese authorities what has happened to the protesters, including those who had surrendered to the authorities, as well as seeking assurances of their well-being and the release of imprisoned peaceful protesters;

encourage dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama, which I believe remains the only sustainable way of ensuring the preservation of Tibetan religious and cultural identity, as well as addressing Chinese concerns regarding its territorial integrity.

My meeting with the Chinese Ambassador on 16 April provided the most recent opportunity to address these issues. In so far as my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government expressed his serious concern about the situation in Tibet and appealed for dialogue between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama, he was reflecting the stance that has also been taken by the Government. We discussed these points briefly when he raised with me on 11 April the fact that he would include a reference to Tibet in his address to the Green Party Conference the following day. Finally, I would note that the Government's 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 issues regarding the practice of religion, freedom of expression and the preservation of cultural identity in Tibet.