Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on the treatment of an organisation (details supplied) in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22529/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government is concerned about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Freedom of religious belief and expression is an issue which is discussed regularly with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral meetings and at European Union level. At these meetings, the Government re-iterates the great importance Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law and urges the Chinese authorities to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights without further delay.

Human rights issues are a constant and important point of dialogue between the European Union and the Chinese Government and are dealt with through the framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. This broad-ranging dialogue has allowed the European Union to engage with China on issues such as freedom of expression, the death penalty, the independence of the judiciary, prison conditions, freedom of religion and minority rights. The last session of the Dialogue took place on 16 June in Beijing at which concerns regarding the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners were again raised with the Chinese Government.

For its part, Ireland will continue to actively raise human rights issues and individual cases of concern with the Chinese authorities.