Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections in Nepal. [16839/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the holding of Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal on 10 April 2008. It was an important landmark in the country's peace process, which began when the Government and the Maoists signed a peace accord in November 2006.

The EU mounted an Observation Mission to these elections, in which Ireland participated. Due to the complexities of the electoral process and the unique geography of Nepal, the mission will stay on the ground until mid-May. The Mission's preliminary statement has concluded that Election Day was largely successful, despite a tense campaign period. The EU Presidency, on 16 April, welcomed the fact that the elections were held in a largely peaceful and orderly manner and called on the political parties to respect the election results. I welcome the fact that the main political parties have indicated that they accept the results as a basis for forming the Constituent Assembly.

The Assembly will include a mix of members elected directly and by a system of proportional representation to ensure a greater share of women and marginalised castes and ethnic groups. It will be tasked with drafting a new constitution for Nepal. Although the election results have yet to be finalised, the Maoists have emerged as the largest party in the new Assembly, and are likely to lead the new government. It remains important that the Maoists take the necessary steps to totally eschew violence and follow solely constitutional means.

While Nepal has made remarkable progress towards peace, challenges remain including the continuing need to address the legitimate aspirations of ethnic groups. Ireland and the EU will continue to actively support the peace process and the development of Nepal.