There is widespread international concern about the nature and intent of Iran’s nuclear programme. A number of aspects of Iran’s choices and behaviour in relation to that programme, and related policy areas, are difficult to understand other than as efforts to achieve a military nuclear capability. Ireland shares those concerns. Many of these concerns relate specifically to activities which are or may be contrary to Iran’s obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and these have been set out in detail in a long series of reports by the IAEA. The Agency continues to report that, despite nine years of talks with Iran to try to clarify these questions, the IAEA has been unable to confirm that Iran’s programme is purely peaceful, essentially because Iran has refused to engage with the Agency in substance on these matters. Similarly, a lengthy series of political discussions with Iran by the E3+3 group, led in recent years by the EU High Representative, has also been unable to make any progress with Iran in rebuilding confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme.
Iran’s assurances about the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme have unfortunately been belied by both its refusal to discuss the aspects of its programme which are giving rise to concern, and indeed its continuation and intensification of those activities throughout this period.
In relation to the import of medicines into Iran, I have received no substantive information on this issue which would alter the terms of my reply to Question No 229 (5954/13) from the Deputy on this topic on 5 February 2013.
