Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had with the Government of China and its representatives following the criticism by the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government of the Chinese Government's policy towards Tibet at the recent Green Party national convention; if he has offered an apology or dissociated the Government from the Minister's comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16168/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he views Tibet as a country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16522/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 258 together.

As I made clear in my reply to the Deputy's question on 22 April, when 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 Government policy.

The question of an apology has not arisen, nor indeed would it be appropriate. However, I was happy to respond positively to the Chinese Ambassador's request for a meeting. At this meeting, which took place on 16 April, in a positive atmosphere, I set out Government policy on the situation in Tibet, as well as on our relations with China as a whole, including of course our commitment to the "one China" policy.

In addressing events in Tibet, the Government has sought 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; and

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.

I am pleased that the Chinese government has indicated its intention to meet representatives of the Dalai Lama in the coming period.

In seeking dialogue with the Chinese authorities, the Dalai Lama has made clear that he is seeking 'genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the framework of the Chinese constitution'. I should add that the Dalai Lama has also consistently and publicly opposed a boycott of the Olympic Games in Beijing.