Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
122. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the reported major build up and expansion of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, on Ireland's position regarding a potential threat to Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35357/25]
View answerThe Government has been clear that any attempt to change the status quo on Taiwan by force would not be acceptable, and we continue to encourage restraint in this regard
Officials in my Department follow developments in the Taiwan Strait closely. Together with our EU partners, Ireland adheres to a One China Policy. This means we recognise the People’s Republic of China as the legal representative of China, and we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, this does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections with Taiwan, nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral fora.
In contacts with China, Ireland regularly underlines the importance of the maintenance of stability in the Strait and strong channels of communications to this end. Most recently, I emphasised these points when I discussed Taiwan with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dublin in February.
The EU's position on this issue has been made absolutely clear at the highest level. The European Council publicly underlined the EU's opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in June 2023. Our Chinese counterparts are very well aware of this position.
