Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
76. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the EU, together with Russia and China, in seeking an agreement with Iran about its nuclear programme if the US Congress prevents the US Administration proceeding with the present agreement with the P5+1 by legislating for additional nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. [1591/14]
View answerThe interim agreement reached between the P5+1 and Iran on 24 November was a very welcome first step, and I am hopeful that it may act as a springboard to the achievement of a final agreement to resolve this dispute during 2014.
The active and positive engagement and leading role of the United States played a crucial part in achieving this interim agreement. The US Administration remains fully committed, as do all the other concerned parties, to implementation of the interim agreement as a prelude to further negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive agreement.
I do not believe it is helpful to the current process to engage in supposition regarding any party failing to follow through on the 24 November interim agreement. I agree that the enactment of further sanctions on Iran at this moment, even if suspended, would not be helpful to the process.
