I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 27 and 44 together.
The House will be aware that the Government has consistently and forcefully condemned human rights abuses in East Timor and we have used all avenues open to us to bring this concern to the attention of the Indonesian authorities and to see action at international level.
Bilaterally we have conveyed our concerns directly to the Indonesian Government. I have written to the Indonesian Foreign Minister. My Department has taken up the matter with representatives of the Indonesian Embassy. Officials of my Department have frequently met with individuals and representatives of groups concerned with the human rights situation in East Timor. Most recently Ireland's Ambassador to Indonesia, who is resident in Canberra, has visited Djakarta and has made further representations directly to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. In addition, I maintain close contact with my colleague the Foreign Minister of Portugal who is engaged in discussions with his Indonesian counterpart under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.
At the international level Ireland has been active at the UN Commission on Human Rights and within the European Union in pressing for action to improve the human rights situation.