By Miriam Donohoe
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will raise the issue of human rights when he has talks with the Chinese premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, who arrives in Ireland today for a two-day visit.
A spokesman for Mr Ahern confirmed last night that human rights will be raised in the context of ongoing EU-China dialogue. “We will be suggesting that dialogue on the role of law as well as on human rights should be intensified and co-operation between NGOs in China and Europe should be expanded,” he said.
Mr Ahern and Mr Wen will also discuss trade opportunities between the two countries during the Chinese leader’s first visit to Ireland.
Mr Wen will be greeted by Mr Ahern on his arrival at Dublin Castle this evening. He will host a joint press conference with Mr Ahern after talks, and will be guest at a dinner in his honour in Dublin Castle tonight.
Tomorrow Mr Wen will host a business breakfast in the National Gallery and will visit the office of Iona Technologies, an Irish software company doing business in China.
He will also pay a courtesy call to the President, Mrs McAleese, in Aras an Uachtarain before departing for Shannon tomorrow afternoon. While in Shannon he will visit Shannon Development and the University of Limerick before leaving for China.
The visit to Ireland is the last leg in a five-country European tour by Mr Wen, his first visit to Europe since he took office in March 2003.
Lasts night the Tibet Support Group said they would be “welcoming” the premier when he arrives at Dublin Castle at 5.30p.m. today.
In a statement the group called on him to show “political courage”.
