Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi; his views on the position of the estimated 400 political prisoners in Burma; his views on the economic investment and trade with Burma that is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30787/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited Dublin on 18 June, and I met her on her arrival at Dublin Airport. We then had an exchange of views across a range of issues including the current situation in Burma, bilateral trade and economic relations and the ways in which Ireland might be of assistance to Burma as it progresses towards greater democracy and an open economy. Burma is in the process of undergoing an important and long-awaited transformation, and we in Ireland have been following this with close attention.

Ireland stands ready to share its experiences and to assist the process of democratisation in Burma in whatever way we can. From a development co-operation point of view, Ireland's recent experience in Asia is highly relevant to Burma. We have regional experience in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as well as in Timor Leste - including in such key areas and issues as the situation of ethnic minorities, poverty reduction, economic development and conflict resolution, all of which are important to Burma's current transition.

I also informed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that we will proceed with formalising our diplomatic relations with Burma on the basis of a non-resident ambassador, a decision she welcomed.

Since 2007, Irish Aid has provided over €7 million to Burma through NGOs and Irish missionaries for both long term development work and emergency and recovery responses. We have also been actively engaged in EU discussions to shape the priorities for European co-operation in development assistance with Burma. Ireland shares the overall EU approach that possible future areas of co-operation could include poverty reduction, in particular among ethnic minority groups; support for democratic transformation; rule of law; human rights, including the release of all remaining political prisoners, accountability and good governance and support for electoral processes.

We support the idea of a joint EU assessment mission in June to explore issues around the cease fires with ethnic minorities, and issues relating to ethnic minorities more generally. As far as trade with, and investment in, Burma are concerned, we share the view of Aung San Suu Kyi, as expressed in her address to the International Labour Organisation at Geneva, that such economic engagement should be responsible, and benefit the people of Burma a whole.

Deputies will be aware that the EU Foreign Affairs Council, in the light of recent developments in Burma, decided in April to lift most of the sanctions imposed under the EU's common position. This decision will be reviewed in October. In the meantime, Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to keep all these issues under close review, in consultation with our ambassadors in the region, and at EU working groups.