Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
19. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further discussions he has held with his EU colleagues regarding negotiations with Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15593/13]
View answer42. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the ongoing economic sanctions against Iran; if he has seen any evidence to indicate that Iran is currently developing nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15512/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 42 together.
Led by High Representative Ashton, the E3+3 (UK, France, Germany, USA, Russia and China), have been engaged in a patient dual-track diplomatic effort with Iran, consisting of engaging in talks while at the same time applying sanctions, in order to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the widespread international concerns about aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme. The issue is regularly discussed at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, most recently earlier this month when High Representative Ashton briefed on the latest round of negotiations which took place in Almaty last month.
The concerns to which Iran’s nuclear programme have given rise are documented in a series of UN Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions dating back to 2006. The IAEA has reported at length on Iran’s continuing failure to provide clarity on, and facilitate unimpeded access to, its nuclear activities and facilities.
The IAEA’s most recent report makes clear that this continuing non-cooperation makes it impossible for the Agency to resolve concerns about aspects of the Iranian nuclear programme, including those which concern possible military dimensions to that programme. There is no dispute with any country seeking nuclear energy for peaceful purposes within the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, this requires that each country seeking such energy cooperates fully with the IAEA.
To date, Iran has failed to address satisfactorily a number of concerns raised by the international community. Regrettably, therefore, it has been necessary to impose several rounds of restrictive measures. The imposition of sanctions is not an end in itself and they are not aimed at the Iranian people.
The sole aim of these measures has been to convince Iran to return to the negotiating table and to engage with the E3+3 in order to address the serious questions regarding possible military dimensions of its nuclear programme.
I have no doubt that the EU’s measures, complemented by tough sanctions imposed by other countries, have led to Iran’s belated acceptance of talks. I welcome last month’s discussions in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the technical meeting last week in Istanbul, and I consider it positive that further talks are planned for Almaty on 5-6 April. This effort can only succeed, and sanctions can only be reversed, if Iran is prepared to negotiate genuinely. A credible package of confidence-building proposals was put forward last month by the E3+3. I very much hope that Iran will engage seriously with these proposals and work rapidly to resolve the outstanding issues in relation to its nuclear programme and the serious concerns raised by the international community.
