Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the desire of Taiwan to be invited to be an observer at the World Health Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21047/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In common with most Member States of the UN, and all EU partners, Ireland adheres to a 'one-China policy', recognising the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. We therefore do not support Taiwanese membership of organisations where statehood is a prerequisite for membership, and take the view that any status granted to Taiwan by the WHO must be compatible with the 'One-China' policy.

However against the above background, and with our EU partners, Ireland continues to be active in seeking to ensure Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the fullest extent possible , to ensure that there is no geographical gap in the important work of that organisation.