Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the fact that the operation of an Irish exploration company in the occupied territory of the Sahara Arab Democratic Republic is widely perceived by the Saharaoui as a contradiction of official Irish policy which does not recognise occupation. [16843/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has been a consistently strong supporter of the right to self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara. I believe that Ireland's firm support for this principle is well-known and appreciated by the Saharawi people and their representatives.

The Western Sahara is at present a Non-Self-Governing Territory. Any exploration and exploitation activities that proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the indigenous people would be in violation of the principles of international law applicable to natural resource activities in Non-Self-Governing Territories.

I would hope that any Irish company operating abroad would have due regard to the principles of international law and the rights of indigenous peoples.