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Nuclear Weapons.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004

Wednesday, 31 March 2004

Questions (48)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

31 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the possible development of weaponry with a nuclear capability within Iran; and if the matter was discussed during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU. [9988/04]

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Written answers

Discussion by the EU on Iran and its nuclear programme took place on a number of occasions during Ireland's Presidency. Last January the General Affairs and External Relations Council had an exchange of views on developments in Iran following a briefing by High Representative Solana on his visit to the country on 12 and 13 January. The Council also examined the matter in February.

Earlier this month Iran was on the GAERC agenda. On 13 March the Council welcomed the adoption, without a vote, of an IAEA board of governors' resolution on Iran's nuclear programme and called on Iran to comply with its provisions.

The Council also welcomed Iran's signature of the IAEA Additional Protocol, recalled that Iran committed itself to act in accordance with its provisions, pending its entry into force, and urged its implementation of an early ratification. The Council also welcomed the decision by Iran on 24 February to extend the scope of its suspension of enrichment related and reprocessing activities, and its confirmation that the suspension applies to all facilities in Iran. Ministers called on Iran to start, in accordance with the decision, immediately, comprehensively and verifiably the full suspension of all such activities and to refrain from all fuel cycle activities that can also be used to produce fissile material for nuclear weapons.

At the same time the Council expressed serious concern that a number of questions on Iran's nuclear programme remain outstanding. It urged Iran to provide full and proactive co-operation with the agency in resolving all such questions in a spirit of full transparency. Ministers agreed to continue their discussions in light of the IAEA Director General El Baradei's next report that is due in May. The report is scheduled for consideration at the meeting of the IAEA board of governors in June.

Ireland supports the EU position on Iran's nuclear programme. It will, with our EU partners, continue to closely monitor the situation.

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