Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the restrictions, if any, that apply to Irish businesses and individuals doing business with Burmese Myanmarese military and Burmese individuals and Burmese companies involved in human rights abuses. [18431/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On 22 April 2013 at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland together with our EU colleagues decided to lift all sanctions on Myanmar/Burma with the exception of the arms embargo and embargo on equipment which might be used for internal oppression. This decision was taken in light of the political and economic reforms that have been taking place in Myanmar/Burma since 2011 in the process of democratisation, and further to the Council’s decision to suspend sanctions in April 2012. Member States and nationals of Member States are prohibited from the sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related materials to Myanmar/Burma. EU Member States are also prohibited from financing or providing financial assistance to military activities in Myanmar/Burma.

Ireland and our EU partners recognise that Myanmar/Burma still faces complex challenges in terms of democratisation, economic development, human rights, and peace and reconciliation. In keeping with this, the recent decision taken at the Foreign Affairs Council will apply until the 30 April 2014. The decision will be kept under constant review and shall be renewed, or amended as appropriate.