Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Jun 1994

Vol. 443 No. 5

Written Answers. - Taiwan's External Relations.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

36 Mr. Shatter asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the nature of Taiwan's relationship with this State; if he will support Taiwan joining GATT and being granted a voice at the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

49 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he has taken to enable Taiwan to have a voice in the United Nations in recognition of that country's economic success and the contribution it can make on an international level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 49 together.

China has been a member of the United Nations since the foundation of the organisation in 1945. Up to 1971 it was represented by the Nationalist Government in Taipei. Since then, following the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 2758, the Government of the People's Republic of China has been the sole occupant of China's seat.

When Ireland established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979 we recognised the Government of the PRC as the sole legal Government of China. There are no proposals under consideration to change these agreements.

We welcome the application from the People's Republic of China and from Taiwan for membership of GATT. Working parties are currently examining these applications with a view to negotiating with the applicants the terms of conditions of membership. European Union policy, which Ireland supports, is aimed at processing the applications for China and Taiwan in parallel, with China acceding first. We recognise the importance of both China and Taiwan to international trade and look forward to an early completion of the negotiations which will result in their membership of GATT and of the new World Trade Organisation.

The economic contribution that can be made by Taiwan on an international level is being recognised by the PRC's acceptance that Taiwan will accede to GATT following the PRC's own accession.