Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in Burma continues to be positively monitored by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2605/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government remains closely engaged at both European Union and international level in monitoring the situation in Burma and in supporting the Burmese people in their struggle for democracy and human rights. The European Union has maintained sanctions against the Burmese regime since 2006. The decision to impose sanctions was made in response to reports of systematic and gross violations of human and political rights by the regime against the Burmese people and ethnic minorities.

In the April 2011 session of the Foreign Affairs Council, Ministers renewed sanctions against Burma for a further twelve months. This was done in light of the deeply flawed elections of November 2010 and the continuing flagrant violations of human rights in Burma.

In renewing sanctions, Ministers reiterated their commitment to the people of Burma and demanded the release of all political prisoners and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma.

While Ireland is a strong supporter of maintaining sanctions until genuine progress on human rights and political reform takes place, we do not view sanctions as an end in themselves. We have been encouraged by recent movements including the opening of dialogue between the Burmese Government and Aung San Suu Kyi as well as approval of the registration of her political party, the National League for Democracy. We also view positively the negotiation of a cease-fire deal between the Burmese Government and ethnic rebels, the recent visits to Burma of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague, and the reported release last week of a significant number of Burmese political prisoners.

Ireland and our international partners will be following developments in Burma over the coming months and, in particular, will pay close attention to April's by-elections in which Aung San Suu Kyi is intending to stand.

The European Union remains ready to respond positively to genuine progress towards democratisation and respect for human rights.