Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 4

Written Answers. - Vietnamese Boat People.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Ceist:

55 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in his capacity as President of the European Council of Foreign Ministers, he has been in touch with the British authorities regarding the forced repatriation from Britain of a number of Vietnamese boat people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I have not raised the issue of the forced repatriation of Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong with the British authorities. However, the British authorities have kept me, and other Ministers of the Twelve, informed of developments in relation to the boat people.

Ireland supports an internationally negotiated and agreed approach to the problem of the Vietnamese boat people. We have therefore endorsed the declaration and comprehensive plan of action agreed at the International Conference on Indo-Chinese Refugees which took place in Geneva in June 1989.

This plan represents a step forward by the international community in attempting to solve what is a very difficult and tragic problem. Under the terms of the plan, Vietnamese who qualify as refugees under the internationally accepted definition of this term will be eligible for resettlement in third countries. The plan provides that those who are not refugees should return to their country of origin in accordance with international practices reflecting the responsibilities of states towards their own citizens. At a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Conference in January, agreement was reached that every effort is to be made to encourage those Vietnamese who do not qualify as refugees to return voluntarily to Vietnam. It was also agreed that such return must be orderly and safely carried out within the multilateral framework of the comprehensive plan of action.

Ireland has played its part in addressing this tragic problem by accepting since 1979 over 400 Vietnamese for resettlement.