Vol. 562 No. 4
212 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is Government policy that Tibet is an integral part of China; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this policy is against the wishes of the vast majority of Irish people. [6356/03]
214 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the Government adopted a policy of regarding Tibet as an integral part of China; when this policy was adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6090/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 214 together.
On 3 December 2002, and again on 12 February 2003, I set out the Government's position with respect to Tibet.
Ireland established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979 and has, from that time, recognised Tibet as an integral part of China. There has been no change of policy in this regard since then.
