Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
199. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been following the multi-country talks on Iran’s nuclear programme; and if he is satisfied with the progress they have made. [15180/15]
View answerOn behalf of the Government, I wholeheartedly welcome the agreement in principle reached between representatives of the international community and the Government of Iran on 2 April. I urge all responsible parties to support this agreement and the continuing work of their governments to finally bring it to a successful conclusion. The extended presence at the negotiations in Lausanne of the EU High Representative and the Foreign Ministers of the seven states involved has been a further testament of the seriousness and intent with which they have pursued a diplomatic solution to this difficult issue over a long period, and in particular over the last two years. What has been achieved is a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a set of understandings in principle on the shape of a final agreement. Hard and serious work remains to be done to complete the technical details and produce a final agreement by June, as is the intention. There may still be difficulties ahead and a continuing need for compromises, but the parties have reached outline understandings on the main issues, and there is every reason to believe that they will also reach a final agreement.
The outline agreement will allow Iran to continue to develop its civil nuclear power programme, while providing reassurance to its neighbours and others that there will be no military nuclear programme. The agreement will provide for removal in due course of the sanctions that have been placed on Iran in relation to this dispute, as well as the continued monitoring of the Iranian programme by the appropriate international agency, the IAEA.
There will be those, on both sides of the issue, who will wish to reject this agreement and seek tougher terms. This is unrealistic. I urge them instead to welcome this agreement as a major step forward towards the peaceful resolution of a long running dispute, which has had the potential to significantly further destabilize an already volatile region.
The agreement which has been reached is a fair and balanced one, and has, I believe, the overwhelming support of governments and responsible leaders around the world. I commend all those who have worked to achieve it.
