Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
153. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures, if any, he and his Department have taken to strengthen diplomatic ties with Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51639/23]
View answerIreland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral fora.
The European Union is represented in Taiwan by the European Economic and Trade Office, which seeks to strengthen economic and trade relations with Taiwan. There has been a Taipei Representative Office in Dublin since 1988.
As of 2013, Taiwanese residents are eligible to apply to participate in Ireland's Working Holiday Programme. Each year, this programme gives some 400 Taiwanese residents the opportunity to come live and work in Ireland. Young Irish people can avail of a similar programme in Taiwan.
More broadly, my Department follows events in the Taiwan Strait closely. During my meeting with China's Foreign Minister on 7 November, I underlined that maintenance of the status quo and broader stability in the Strait is critical. We support peaceful resolution of tensions and reject the use of force.
