Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view on the abolition of the monarchy in Nepal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23525/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate the people of Nepal on the successful establishment of the Constituent Assembly following elections on 10 April 2008 and welcome the fact that the transition to a new form of Government in Nepal has taken place in a largely peaceful and orderly manner. The people of Nepal have shown, after ten years of internal disturbances and war, their commitment to democracy and their determination to build a new future. The EU has been actively engaged in promoting peace, development and reconciliation efforts in Nepal, and an EU Election Observation Mission, to which Ireland contributed, was deployed to monitor the recent elections.

The recent declaration of a federal democratic republic in Nepal reflects the will of the people of Nepal, as expressed in the mandate given by them to the Constituent Assembly. As such, we and our EU partners fully respect and support this decision.

Despite the peace process and the holding of Constituent Assembly elections, the political situation in Nepal remains fragile and there are significant challenges for the new government once it is formed. The Constituent Assembly also faces the task of drafting a new constitution – one that secures peace, democracy, respect for human rights and addresses the legitimate aspirations of ethnic groups.

Ireland is fully supportive of the people of Nepal and their political leaders in their efforts to achieve these goals. Our Embassy in Delhi is accredited to Nepal and our officials continue to monitor events closely and maintain contact with the Nepalese authorities. Ireland has fully supported the UN role in Nepal in monitoring the ceasefire and providing election assistance. In 2008, Irish Aid has provided some €719,000 in assistance to Nepal to fund the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), as well as other international organisations and NGOs operating in Nepal in areas such as human rights, health, education and livelihood support.