Vol. 497 No. 2
85 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will use his influence on the Government of Romania to improve the plight of the eastern rite Catholic community in that country in view of reports that that community is subject to human rights abuses, harassment and violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24363/98]
86 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances of the community of eastern rite Catholics in Romania; if he will make representations to the Romanian Government to have that community's church buildings returned to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24364/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
I indicated to the House in response to a question by Deputy Frances Fitzgerald on 30 September that I am aware of problems facing the eastern rite Catholic Church in Romania also known as the Romanian Uniate Church.
From our contacts with the Holy See, the Commission of the European Union, which has a Mission in Bucharest, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe there do not appear to be reports of systematic discrimination against members of the Romanian Uniate Church. However, there are specific problems such as the issue of the restitution of church property and places of worship.
The vast majority of properties whose restitution is sought by the Romanian Uniate Church are currently in the possession of the Orthodox Church. This issue is one of several considered at the recent "Reconciliation Dialogue" between the two churches which was held in Bucharest on 28 October 1998. They have agreed that in the first instance the issue should be addressed at diocesan and parochial levels and that the outcome should be discussed at the next meeting of the Dialogue Commission in 1999.
I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to keep all aspects of this issue under review both in our EU and multilateral contacts and directly with the Romanian authorities. I would like to confirm that on my instructions the Deputy's concerns on these issues were brought to the direct attention of the Romanian authorities last week.
