Bertie Ahern
Ceist:55 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government supports the right of the Tibetan people to national self-determination. [14608/96]
Written Answers. - Tibetan Self-Determination.
In 1979, when Ireland established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, the Government of Ireland recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. The Chinese position at that time was and still is that China included Tibet.
In relation to Tibet, a central concern of Government policy has been and remains the respect for and protection of the human rights of Tibetans. This is an issue which I raise with the Chinese authorities at every available opportunity.
The Government will continue to monitor closely the situation in Tibet and will continue to press for measures to ensure that the human rights of Tibetans are respected.