Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action being taken with Ireland's EU and UN partner states to secure the release of a person (details supplied) from prison in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21100/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I deplore the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and esteemed Nobel Peace laureate, her imprisonment in the notorious Insein Prison in Rangoon and the laying of charges and institution of court proceedings against her.

In a statement on 14 May, I condemned her arrest, saying that it represented the latest chapter in an ongoing effort to silence this courageous pro-democracy advocate and opposition leader before, during and after the elections which are due to be held in Burma in 2010. I noted also that her arrest and incarceration were particularly distressing given the very real concerns regarding her state of health. I made clear my view that Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma must be released and a process of dialogue and reconciliation initiated without delay.

The EU Presidency also issued a Declaration on 14 May, deeply regretting the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and strongly urging the Burmese authorities to release her. The Declaration called on the regime to engage in an inclusive process of national reconciliation, which is essential for setting Burma on a genuine path to stability and prosperity, and to initiate a new phase in the development of the country.

At the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting on 22 April, EU Foreign Ministers agreed the renewal of the Common Position on restrictive measures on Burma for an additional year. We also agreed to keep open the possibility of revising the Common Position in the light of developments on the ground. In this context, the situation in Burma was discussed again at the GAERC on 18 May and Ministers agreed that, following the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the EU should look at new steps, including additional restrictive measures, which could be taken against the Burmese regime.

Ministers at the GAERC also discussed the then up-coming EU-Troika meeting with Burma in the margin of the ASEM Ministerial meeting in Hanoi, which took place yesterday. There was also an opportunity at the ASEM Ministerial itself to convey to the representatives of many of Burma's neighbours our very strong concerns and views about Aung San Suu Kyi and the situation in Burma more generally. The EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, which starts tomorrow, will offer further opportunities in this respect. It is essential that we make clear to Burma's neighbours, individually and collectively, how important it is that they use their influence in relation to the situation in Burma, including the position of Aung San Suu Kyi and the elections scheduled for 2010.

I myself have repeatedly made clear the Government's view that the elections will have no credibility unless all political prisoners are released unconditionally and a political process is initiated with the support of the United Nations on the basis of an inclusive, long-term dialogue in which the opposition and ethnic groups can participate fully. I fully support the role of the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy, Dr Ibrahim Gambari, and the personal engagement of the UN Secretary General himself. I spoke to him about the situation in Burma when I was in New York on 8 May. I very much hope that Secretary General Ban will be able to visit Burma shortly, as he plans, and to make concrete progress on the political and humanitarian agenda there.

I welcome the UN Security Council statement of 22 May expressing concern at the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and calling for her release. This action by the Council is an important development, particularly given the difficulties in securing consensus on matters relating to Burma, which have existed in the past. I hope the Council will remain seized of the issue and take further action as is necessary.

I will continue to work in the EU and UN frameworks and with the countries of the region to do all possible to advance our objectives in relation to Burma.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the international efforts being made to assist those people who have been displaced in Sri Lanka; his views on recent developments in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As stated on many occasions in this House, most recently on 21 May in reply to a Parliamentary Question, I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka and in particular about the grave humanitarian crisis that is taking place there.

I fully endorse the conclusions of the EU External Relations Council held on 18 May, which stated that "the EU … is appalled by the loss of innocent lives as a result of the conflict and by the high number of casualties, including children, following recent intense fighting".

I am also deeply disturbed by the reports of serious breaches of international humanitarian law by both sides in the conflict and I am firmly of the view that these must be subject to independent review. I note that a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka is taking place in Geneva today. Ireland is making a national statement at this Special Session.

The Government of Sri Lanka has declared that the war is over and that they have won it. The LTTE have admitted defeat. The immediate priority now must be to ensure the safety and welfare of all displaced civilians. This is going to be an enormous undertaking as there are already over 200,000 requiring assistance and at least 50,000 more who will be seeking it in the coming days. The Government of Sri Lanka must fulfil its obligations under international law to protect all people under its jurisdiction. C amps in which displaced people are being assisted must be transferred from army to civilian control, entry to and departure from them must be strictly voluntary, and the camps must be temporary. Humanitarian agencies and independent observers must be given full access to these areas and the people in them.

The second priority is to get a post-conflict strategy underway without delay. This will need to focus on reconstruction, economic and social development, and the restoration of basic services in the Tamil North. Hopefully, plans can be agreed with the Government to enable a comprehensive programme to be mounted.

Thirdly, an inclusive reconciliation and peace process must be initiated. The fact that the war is over will not, of itself, achieve stability in Sri Lanka. It will be essential that arrangements and mechanisms are in place to ensure the representation of the Tamil population and facilitate dialogue, negotiation and reconciliation. I welcome President Rajapakse's stated intention to pursue a negotiated settlement with the Tamil community. The fact that the war is over will not, of itself, achieve stability in Sri Lanka. It will be essential that arrangements and mechanisms are in place to ensure the representation of the Tamil population and facilitate dialogue, negotiation and reconciliation. I welcome President Rajapakse's stated intention to pursue a negotiated settlement with the Tamil community and very much hope that this can begin at an early date. Key to a successful process and sustainable peace will be a dialogue mechanism, based on the principles of parity of esteem, consent, equality and the rule of law.

It will be important that the international community is involved in the peace process. International experience, expertise and support will be invaluable in terms of guiding the process, keeping it on track and serving as an independent facilitator. As I have stated in this House on a number of occasions, should the relevant parties there seek our advice in relation to the peace process, we would be happy to give consideration as to how we could best help.

Ireland would welcome further action by the international community, in particular by the UN Secretary General and the UN Security Council, to assist in this process. In this context, I warmly welcome the visit to Sri Lanka made by the Secretary General on 22-23 May.

In view of the serious humanitarian crisis in the affected areas, Irish Aid is now providing funding of €308,000 for emergency response through NGO partners, to include emergency medical and nutrition support, the provision of shelter, and distribution of food and non-food items. In addition, a member of Irish Aid's Rapid Response Corps has been deployed to Sri Lanka to assist in the emergency response effort of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).