Jim O'Keeffe
Question:57 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports the application of Taiwan for observer status with the World Health Organisation. [26626/03]
Written Answers. - Policy on Taiwan.
Since 1971, when Ireland voted in favour of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, we have recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China, PRC, as the sole legitimate Government of China. Ireland, together with our EU partners adheres to the ‘one China' policy. As such, the Government does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
For several years, Taiwan has been lobbying to be accepted as a member of the World Health Organisation, WHO. As Taiwan has not succeeded in securing membership of the WHO, it has sought observer status at the organisation's annual world health assembly, WHA. In previous years, the assembly has not included the issue of Taiwan as an item on its agenda.
Ireland has been, and remains, fully committed to the ‘one China' policy. We do not therefore support Taiwanese membership of organisations where statehood is a prerequisite for membership, and take the view that any status granted to Taiwan by the WHO must be compatible with the ‘one China' policy.