Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 12: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the assistance that the EU and the international community are currently providing for the restoration of democracy in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17172/12]

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. 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 a number of EU Foreign Ministers as well as EU Commissioner Piebalgs and the release of a significant number of Burmese political prisoners.

Together with our EU colleagues, and as a signal of our hope for Burma's continuing process of political reform, the EU has begun to take steps to ease the sanctions on Burma by suspending the visa ban on certain individuals.

While the situation in Burma has improved, there is still much to achieve. We hope for continuing reform over coming months, including the unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners as well as further action from the Burmese Government in addressing the concerns of ethnic minority groups and towards the establishment of comprehensive human rights protection for the people of Burma. We remain optimistic that the April 1st by-election - in which Aung San Suu Kyi is due to stand - will be characterised by free and fair conduct.

Together with our EU colleagues, we want recent developments to indicate a lasting change for the people of Burma and hope that they herald the beginning of a new era of peace, democracy and respect for human rights.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 13: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade noting the recent report of the UN Human Rights Council, International Commission of Inquiry on Libya which concludes that all sides committed war crimes (details supplied), and that NATO has refused to fully cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry, if he will withdraw Irish cooperation with NATO Partnership for Peace until NATO agrees to fully cooperate with the UN investigation of NATO war crimes during the attack on Libya. [17166/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Human Rights Council, at a Special Session on 25 February 2011, established the International Commission of Inquiry on Libya. The mandate of the Commission was "to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law in Libya, to establish the facts and circumstances of such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible, to make recommendations, in particular, on accountability measures, all with a view to ensuring that those individuals responsible are held accountable". The principal concern of the countries, including Ireland, that supported the establishment of the Commission, was to address the widespread and persistent reports of violent acts of repression being carried out by the Qadhafi regime against the Libyan people. The Commission's report, issued on 2 March 2012, "concluded that international crimes, specifically crimes against humanity and war crimes, were committed by Qadhafi forces in Libya.... The Commission further concluded that the thuwar (anti-Qadhafi forces) committed serious violations, including war crimes and breaches of international human rights law".

The Commission also assessed the impact of measures taken by NATO-led forces between March and October 2011 to implement UN resolution 1973. The report states that "The Commission concluded that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) conducted a highly precise campaign with a demonstrable determination to avoid civilian casualties. On limited occasions, the Commission confirmed civilian casualties and found targets that showed no evidence of military utility. The Commission was unable to draw conclusions in such instances on the basis of the information provided by NATO and recommends further investigations." There is no suggestion in the report that war crimes were committed by NATO but the Commission has called on NATO to conduct investigations to determine the level of civilian casualties.

The recommendations made in the report in relation to NATO are a matter for that organisation and its members to consider. Ireland is not a member of NATO and therefore does not have any role in this process.

Ireland's cooperation with NATO is conducted through our participation in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme. The PfP is a voluntary and cooperative framework for regional cooperation. Our foremost reason for participation is co-operation in peacekeeping. The PfP has been an invaluable tool in developing the capabilities of our Defence Forces and enhancing inter-operability with other potential peacekeeping countries. This ensures that Ireland can most effectively contribute to UN-mandated missions as we have done for more than 50 years.