Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has concerns about civil unrest in Nepal; if the position and safety of Irish citizens there is being monitored by the Irish Embassy in New Delhi; if the Nepalese situation has been discussed by him with his European counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17769/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The situation in Nepal is monitored closely by my Department and, in particular, through our Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited there. There is a small Irish community in Nepal, which is mostly involved in development activities and with which the Embassy in New Delhi maintains close contact. Ethnic tension and occasional outbreaks of violence, linked to demands for greater autonomy, are a continuing aspect of life in the Terai and Eastern region of Nepal. In March 2011 four explosive devices were detonated on public buses operating in the Terai region. One person died and 44 people were injured.

While the overall level of violence in Nepal has declined in the past year, there remains a general threat of terrorism, including the possibility of indiscriminate attacks in places frequented by foreign travellers. The security situation, therefore, is still unpredictable. However, most tourists visit the country without incident.

Irish citizens visiting Nepal are advised by my Department to be vigilant, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations and keep away from those regions most subject to violence. They should regularly monitor political and security developments, including though the Department of Foreign Affairs website. Those travelling to Nepal should register on the Department's website and have comprehensive travel insurance.

The political situation in Nepal, while fragile, remains hopeful. A peace process, aimed at reconciliation across society, is active. Although the May deadline for a constitutional agreement passed without achieving its aim, I welcome the decision by the political parties in Nepal to extend the deadline and am encouraged by the commitment to resolve the outstanding issues.

A cross-party group of Nepalese politicians visited Ireland, North and South, for a lesson-learning visit in September 2009. The visit was coordinated by the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, with the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Ireland remains ready to assist further in the peace process in Nepal.

In 2010 Irish Aid provided approximately €690,000 in funding to NGOs active in Nepal. This funding was primarily for long-term development work in a variety of sectors, including governance, women's rights and education. A small amount of funding was also provided for disaster risk reduction through Irish Aid's Emergency and Recovery funding mechanisms.

While EU Foreign Ministers have not specifically discussed Nepal recently, senior official regularly discuss and review developments there.