Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., has expressed the Government's concern for the situation of the persons rescued at sea currently on board a Norwegian registered ship off Christmas Island. The Minister has asked Ireland's Ambassador in Canberra to convey the Government's concern to the Australian authorities. He has also asked our Embassies to Norway and Indonesia to urge the Governments in Oslo and Jakarta to work with the Australian authorities to urgently resolve the current situation.

The Minister stressed that Ireland expects all States party to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951 Geneva Convention) to uphold their obligations under that Convention and any other international human rights instruments to which they may be party.Top