Dinny McGinley
Question:48 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement to Dáil Éireann on his recent visit to Iran.
Written Answers. - Visit to Iran.
Dr. M.R. Fartookzadeh, the Iranian Deputy Minister for Health and Medical Education, visited Ireland in August, 1992. Soon after I was appointed Minister for Health I was invited by the Government of Iran to make a reciprocal visit, which I undertook on 19 and 20 April, 1993.
In the course of my visit, I had a number of meetings with senior figures in the Government of Iran. I met Dr. Hassan Ebrahim Habibi, the First Vice-President. I also had a meeting with Mr. Mahmud Vaezi, the Deputy Foreign Minister. I had two lengthy meetings with my opposite number in the Iranian Government, Dr. Reza Malekzadeh, Minister for Health and Medical Education. I paid a visit to the Iran University of Medical Sciences and Hazrat-e-Rasoul Training Hospital.
I took the opportunity throughout my visit to emphasise the traditionally good relations which have existed between Ireland and Iran. These relations continue to be strengthened through visits by Ministers and other officials. Work continues on a bilateral basis through the Joint Commission for Bilateral Co-operation. Mr. Vaezi, the Foreign Minister, is in Dublin this week to prepare for the next session of the Commission.
I discussed the opportunities for greater trade between Ireland and Iran. As Deputies will be aware, Iran was a major purchaser of Irish beef before the BSE scare. The Iranian Government is now satisfied about the quality status of Irish beef and I would hope that contracts can be signed in the near future. I also discussed the scope for Ireland to import non-oil products from Iran.
Of course, the main purpose of my visit was to discuss co-operation in the area of health services and medical education. During his visit to Ireland in 1992, Dr. Fartookzadeh signed an agreement with Deputy Chris Flood, former Minister of State at the Department of Health, promoting co-operation between the two countries in the area of medical education. The details of putting this agreement into operation formed a major part of my discussions. I also discussed co-operation in other areas in which Ireland has considerable expertise such as hospital design and project management, training in health service management, etc. Agreement was also reached on cooperating in areas such as the development of vaccines, transfer of technology, etc.
I found the visit stimulating and fruitful. I was received with great courtesy and hospitality. The visit allowed me to put the Government's position on a wide range of issues directly to the Iranian Government, including the Government's disquiet over the fatwah imposed on Salman Rushdie, and they, likewise, were able to put their views directly to me.