Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he is making in the fight against child labour in view of the fact that the world day against child labour took place on 12 June 2008. [23511/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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More than 200 million children in the world today are involved in child labour, doing work that is damaging to their mental, physical and emotional development. While child labour is a very serious problem worldwide, it is particularly stark in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 26% of children, representing close to 50 million child workers, are engaged in economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Child labour is inextricably linked to poverty and the need for all family members to contribute economically to the family's survival. It results in reduced primary school enrolment and low literacy levels. Rural working children, particularly girls, tend to be among the most disadvantaged.

The third phase of the ILO-Irish Aid Partnership Programme seeks to address the issue of child labour. Under this partnership, we are contributing to the ILO's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour and also providing support to combating bonded labour. We work with the ILO at the policy level, supporting the development of legislative and policy frameworks to tackle child labour, as well as through programmes specifically aimed at withdrawing children from – and preventing children from engaging in — child labour. The Programme has activities in 90 countries worldwide.

I would like to acknowledge the contributions made by the social partners, both the ICTU and IBEC, to the development of the latest phase of Irish Aid's Partnership Programme with the ILO.

As well as our specific programme targeting child labour, we also address the issue more holistically through our more general support to education in our aid programme. We are supporting countries to provide basic education services for all children, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable groups, including children engaged in child labour. A key priority is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to attend primary school. Since 2000, Ireland has contributed approximately €360 million to advancing education in our partner countries, especially in Africa and millions of children are at school as a result.

Over the past decade we have seen encouraging progress. For example, in two of our Programme Countries, Mozambique and Ethiopia, enrolments during the 6 year period 2000 – 2006 almost doubled, increasing from 2.5 million to over 4 million in Mozambique and from 6.4 million to 11.2 million in Ethiopia.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that the human rights mission in Kosovo as a separate but related project to peace keeping has been successful; and if the minorities involved in the region have had their human rights protected. [23522/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Along with our partners in the EU, Ireland's position on the Kosovo final status issue has been that a final settlement for Kosovo must provide for a multi-ethnic, secure and democratic Kosovo, consistent with EU values and standards and contributing to the stability of the region. The EU has consistently highlighted the protection of minorities and the right to return of refugees and internally displaced persons as key priorities in this regard.

In this context, Ireland strongly supported the final status proposal by the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Kosovo, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, which provided for internationally supervised independence for Kosovo with strong guarantees for the highest level of internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms and which made the protection and promotion of the rights of minorities a central element of the proposal.

The Kosovo Assembly declared independence on 17 February, stated that it accepted fully the obligations for Kosovo contained in the Ahtisaari proposal, and undertook to implement its provisions through priority adoption of legislation, particularly those that protect and promote the rights of communities and their members. The Assembly subsequently adopted a Constitution on 9 April, which came into force on 15 June. This states that the Republic of Kosovo protects and guarantees human rights and fundamental freedoms as provided by the Constitution. It adds that communities and their members shall have specific rights in addition to those human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to express, maintain and develop their culture and preserve the essential elements of their identity, namely their religion, language, traditions and culture.

In the report of the UN Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) dated 28 March 2008, covering the period 16 December 2007 to 1 March 2008, UNMIK noted that overall compliance with the Prime Minister's Administrative Instructions regarding the establishment of Human Rights Units (HRUs) within ministries reached approximately 70 per cent in late 2007. However, it added that many ministries still lacked appropriate levels of human and other resources in HRUs to ensure their effective operations.

The report further noted that the Human Rights Advisory Panel has held three working sessions since its inaugural session in November 2007. The Panel elected its Presiding Member, adopted Rules of Procedure and continued with its examination of complaints, dealing with issues such as property rights and access to courts.

As regards the issue of returns of refugees and IDPs, the report noted that, while these remained disappointingly low, UNHCR estimates that 1,756 minority community members returned in 2007 as opposed to 1,668 in 2006. The report adds that the Ministry of Communities and Returns (MCR) budget for returns is €7.14 million for 2008, an increase from €5.2 million in 2007, although lack of funding remains an important obstacle to returns. The Ministry has proposed to allocate this amount for Community Development and Stabilization projects, construction of social housing for IDPs, organised return projects and individual returns. The Government, through Irish Aid, has been pleased to support return projects in Kosovo in recent years.

I note the recent comment by the UN Secretary General that there remains scope for further improvement in certain areas, in particular in the field of the return of refugees and IDPs. The Government strongly believes that there should be robust mechanisms to safeguard the human rights of all citizens in Kosovo and that deficiencies in this regard should be urgently addressed. I welcome the clear commitment of Kosovo to the full implementation of all obligations contained in the Ahtisaari proposal, as outlined firstly in the Declaration of Independence and as provided for now in the Constitution. The EU will continue to urge the authorities in Kosovo to step up their efforts to ensure promotion and protection of human rights for all, with a particular focus on the continued problems faced by minorities, refugees and internally displaced persons.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had with Chinese authorities in relation to Tibet. [23524/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he last met with a member of the Chinese authority or its representative; if the issue of Tibet was raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23724/08]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether our participants at the Beijing Olympics should boycott the opening ceremony in protest at the crackdown by the Chinese Government in Tibet and its neighbouring provinces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17666/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 115 and 123 together.

I called on the Chinese Ambassador on 15 May to personally convey my condolences and those of the people of Ireland to those bereaved by the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province.

My Department maintains regular contact with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin to convey the Government's ongoing concerns at the situation in Tibet and to seek further information about developments there.

Through these contacts, we continue to underline the importance Ireland attaches to the right of freedom of expression and peaceful protest; to 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; to seek assurance that detained protesters will be treated in due accordance with international standards, including in relation to a fair trial; and to encourage dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama. These issues were raised directly by my predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador on 16 April.

It is my strong view that dialogue is the only peaceful and sustainable way of ensuring the preservation of Tibetan religious and cultural identity, as well as addressing Chinese concerns regarding its territorial integrity. In this context, I welcome the meeting on 4 May between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama, and their agreement to a further substantive round over the summer. I hope that these meetings can move quickly to remove any remaining impediments to more substantial talks which could address the issue of autonomy, within the framework of the Chinese constitution, as called for by the Dalai Lama.

The decision to participate in the opening ceremony is for the athletes themselves. My Department, and our Embassy in Beijing, are in close touch with the Olympic Council of Ireland in regard to preparations for the Olympic Games. The Department would be happy to respond to any queries the Council, or individual athletes, may have about human rights in China, or indeed other concerns, including the issue of Tibet.

However, the Government does not in general support a boycott of the Games. Past experience has shown that these are unfair to athletes and have little real effect. Equally, the Dalai Lama has also been clear in his support for the success of these Games.

Ultimately, it is only through open and frank dialogue, both on a bilateral basis as well as through the EU, that we can best impress our concerns on the Chinese authorities. In this regard, we continue to stress the importance of their making every effort possible to facilitate freedom of movement and expression, including the right to peaceful protest, in the run-up to – and during – the Beijing Games.

The Government will continue to raise its concerns regarding human rights in China in bilateral contacts with the Government of China.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the suspension of freedom to operate on the part of non-governmental organisations including those dealing with food aid in Zimbabwe has been considered by him; and if the issue has been considered at European level by the general and External Affairs Council. [23505/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I utterly condemn the recent attempts by the Zimbabwean Government to suspend the operations of non-governmental organisations in the country. There are an estimated four million people at risk from the effects of weakened social services and the erosion of livelihoods in Zimbabwe. Non-governmental organisations provide a life line to these poor and vulnerable sections of the population and are valued partners in Ireland's development cooperation programme there.

We have allocated over €25 million to tackle poverty in all its manifestations in Zimbabwe since 2006. Of this, almost €7 million has been directed to long-term development programmes undertaken by missionaries and non-governmental organisations. Over €7 million has been provided to support a number of HIV/AIDS programmes and €11 million has been allocated for humanitarian aid, primarily for food relief, school feeding programmes, livelihoods programmes and healthcare provision. We have also provided support to those displaced by government urban clearance programmes. All of this assistance is channelled through non-governmental organisations, missionaries or UN agencies.

In the face of the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy and the descent of that country into abject poverty, it is essential that every possible pressure be brought to bear on the Mugabe regime, and Ireland has worked actively to keep this issue high on the EU agenda. Of course, it is Zimbabwe's neighbours who have the most influence, and therefore the greatest responsibility, to press for a democratic and peaceful outcome. Multilateral approaches and pressure are particularly important, especially through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union. I also welcome the fact that UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios will visit Zimbabwe in the coming days, to raise concerns regarding recent humanitarian and political developments.

The issue of Zimbabwe was raised at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on Monday 16 June. We will continue to monitor the situation closely in conjunction with other donor partners and we will do whatever we can to ensure the recommencement of operations by NGOs in Zimbabwe.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23732/08]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent imprisonment of the leader of the opposition who is contesting the final stage of the presidential elections in Zimbabwe. [23504/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 121 together.

The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be both shocking and deeply disturbing. With voting in the second round of the Presidential election due to take place on 27 June, the situation remains violent and unstable. At least 50 people have been killed since March, and targeted violence has resulted in thousands being displaced, rendering it impossible for them to vote. Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists have repeatedly been arrested and detained. Political meetings have been banned. Suspected MDC supporters are being sacked from their jobs, and in many cases have been beaten and tortured. Most recently, and very worryingly, the decision by President Mugabe to suspend NGO activities – including the delivery of humanitarian aid and the provision of health services – will potentially threaten lives.

Since MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe to campaign, he has been arrested numerous times, including two arrests in one day on 14 June. He has not been charged with any offence. The Secretary General of the MDC, Tendai Biti, has been arrested and will be charged with treason. Police have said that he faces a possible death sentence if convicted. Buses used by the MDC leadership to travel around the country and reach voters are reported to have been confiscated by the police. The opposition has no access to the state controlled media. President Mugabe and many of his senior supporters have threatened to take up arms if the opposition should win the election.

Clearly a free and fair election is impossible as long as these circumstances exist. Since the current phase of the Zimbabwe crisis began after the 29 March elections, Ireland has conveyed our concerns about Zimbabwe directly to our partner countries in Africa. We have encouraged the countries of the Southern African region to continue to take the lead in pressurizing the Mugabe regime to respect the democratic verdict of the Zimbabwean people. There are few effective levers for pressure on Zimbabwe, so the influence which Zimbabwe's neighbours bring to bear is crucial in securing change. There are also continuing reports of efforts at mediation, possibly with a view to establishing a Government of National Unity.

At the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations meeting in Brussels on 26 May, Ireland urged that strong political pressure on the Mugabe regime be maintained until the crisis is resolved. Following that discussion, EU Foreign Ministers again called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure a level playing field and a secure environment, so that the results of the second round will reflect the free and democratic will of the Zimbabwean people. EU Foreign Ministers again discussed the situation in Zimbabwe on Monday 16 June, as will European Heads of State and Government at the European Council later this week. I am glad to note that UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Haile Menkerios, will visit Zimbabwe this week to raise concerns regarding recent humanitarian and political developments.

Ireland and the EU have strongly supported monitoring of the Zimbabwean election by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and by the African Union, and we have encouraged both organisations to increase their number of monitors and to ensure that they adhere to the highest standards. SADC monitors began to deploy on 12 June, well in advance of polling day. We believe that their presence on the ground could help deter both fraud and violence. The Irish Ambassador travelled to Zimbabwe to witness the election on 29 March, and will do so again on 27 June.