Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21767/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the language being used in relation to the response to terrorism by the government of Pakistan, which was reported as seeking the elimination of all terrorists. [21819/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 63 together.

The military offensive against the Taliban, which re-opened in the Swat area of Pakistan at the start of May, is continuing. It follows the breakdown in a ceasefire agreement with local militants which had allowed for the introduction of sharia law in the Malakand district to which Swat belongs. Real concern had been expressed, both in Pakistan and within the international community, about the extension of Taliban influence in the country.

The human cost of the military offensive is very great. The most recent figures provided by UNICEF state that the number of displaced people formally registered by local authorities, including since 2 May as a result of fighting in the Lower Dir, Buner and Swat districts of Pakistan's north-west, has now surpassed 2 million. About 200,000 of these are in camps and the rest are staying with their families and friends or in schools and other communal buildings.

The UN has acknowledged that the scale of the displacement is extraordinary in terms of its size and speed, and that it is causing incredible suffering. A UN Flash Appeal for humanitarian assistance has been launched and is currently being examined in my Department. My officials are also in discussion with a number of our established NGO partners. For its part, the European Commission announced on 14 May that it will release €5.5 million in immediate humanitarian assistance and that it is ready to step up this assistance if required.

There is no doubt that the Government of Pakistan is facing enormous internal security challenges. The Irish Government fully recognises the sacrifices made by the Pakistani people in their struggle against terrorism and extremism. However, I do not believe that use of the kind of language to which Deputy Sherlock refers in his question is helpful.

It is essential that the Pakistan authorities conduct the military campaign against the Taliban with full regard for the welfare of the internally displaced persons (IDPs). In this respect, I fully support the EU Presidency statement of 14 May which called on the Government of Pakistan to pay close attention to the situation of the IDPs as well as to the protection of human rights. The Government must continue its efforts to strengthen civil society mechanisms in Pakistan so that the lives of all its citizens can be improved.

There is a keen desire in the EU to strengthen and deepen relations with Pakistan and Ireland is strongly supportive of these efforts. Pakistan is critical for regional stability and co-operation in South Asia, as well as in the global context. Foreign Ministers discussed Pakistan at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 8 December last and issued comprehensive Council Conclusions. These welcomed the consolidation of democratic civilian rule in Pakistan in 2008 and outlined steps for further strengthening bilateral relations. In this context, the first EU-Pakistan summit meeting will be held in Brussels on 17 June. I hope that there will be tangible results from this meeting, including in the areas of trade and development co-operation, and that it will provide the basis for enhanced engagement into the future.