Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tibet Situation.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

29 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland's ambassador to the People's Republic of China last visited Tibet; whether it is the ambassador's intention to visit Tibet to assess the situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

76 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the Chinese authorities the matter of Tibet and the wish of the people of that country to be independent from the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 76 together.

The Irish ambassador in Beijing has not been in a position to visit Tibet during the past year due to the refusal of the Chinese authorities to allow him to do so. Martial law was declared in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, on 8 March 1989 and foreigners — including ambassadors — were prohibited from visiting the region at the same time.

Our ambassador has continued to monitor closely the situation in Tibet, especially in relation to human rights. Together with his colleagues from the Twelve, the ambassador has ensured that the Chinese authorities were made fully aware of our concerns in this area. Speaking on behalf of the Twelve before the UN Commission on Human rights last week, I called on the Chinese authorities to guarantee full respect for the human rights of their citizens throughout China, including Tibet.

Ireland recognises the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, including Tibet. I have therefore had no reason to raise the question of independence for Tibet with the Chinese authorities.