Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
115. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the Irish Honorary Consul in Bangkok recently regarding the ongoing violence there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52718/13]
View answerI have been concerned by the reports of violence in Bangkok following recent protests there, and I note that all sides now appear to be exercising restraint. I also note that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called elections for next February.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Thailand, who is accredited from Kuala Lumpur, has been reporting to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade since the protests began. The Honorary Consul in Bangkok, who is primarily responsible for consular matters under the guidance of the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has advised that no Irish citizens to date have been affected by the protests. The Embassy has been in regular contact with a range of sources in Bangkok including the Thai Foreign Ministry, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, local Irish sources and various Non-Governmental Organisations. My Department’s website is regularly updated to give Irish citizens the latest information on the situation in Thailand.
The Irish Government strongly supports the statement issued by the spokesperson of the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, which called on all parties to respect the rule of law, avoid escalation and resolve differences through peaceful means. We will continue to use our sources to monitor the situation closely.
