Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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72. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his efforts and that of his Department in the past three months at national, European and international levels in raising the continuing human rights abuse against the Rohingya community in view of recent revelations of trafficking and abuses of Rohingya women; despite such abuses continuing, if Ireland intends to continue seeking trade developments with Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1525/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government closely follows the situation of the Rohingya people in Myanmar/Burma and is deeply concerned by ongoing reports and evidence of serious human rights abuses.

Myanmar/Burma continues to undergo a process of long-awaited transition towards full democracy. Ireland, together with our EU partners, recognises that significant progress has been made, but that difficult and complex challenges remain. We continue to utilize the relevant bilateral and multilateral channels to urge the Government of Myanmar/Burma to address these challenges, particularly issues in regards to the Rohingya minority.

A significant step forward was the launch of the EU-Myanmar Task Force, which was held in Myanmar from 13-15 November 2013. The Task Force was co-chaired by the European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton and U Soe Thane, Minister in the President's Office. Their discussions covered all challenging issues facing the country, including the peace process, human rights, communal violence, the plight of the Rohingya, rural development and land rights, elections in 2015 and constitutional review.

The Government of Myanmar expressed its determined to continue reforms. Both sides noted that the lifting of sanctions and the reinstatement of GSP preferences were crucial to encourage further progress. Ireland is also of the view that attempting to re-impose sanctions would have a negative impact on the reform process in Myanmar.

On 31 December 2013, HR Ashton welcomed the pardon of a number of prisoners of conscience in Myanmar as fulfilling President Thein’s commitment that all political prisoners would be released by the end of the year.

At the UN level, a comprehensive country resolution on Myanmar was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 2013, covering all aspects of the situation in the country, including the plight of the Rohingya in Rakhine State. Ireland played an active role in negotiation of the Resolution.

Ireland’s Ambassador to Myanmar (based in Hanoi) maintains close contact with his EU colleagues, and will attend the monthly EU Heads of Mission meeting next week in Yangon where there will be an opportunity to receive a first hand update on the situation in Rakhine State.

Ireland will continue through relevant bilateral and multilateral channels to press the authorities in Myanmar to address the serious situation in Rakhine State, as part of a continuing process of democratic transformation.