EU Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Questions (368)

Joe O'Brien

Question:

368. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the European Council to add two Iranian persons and the directorate for internal security of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the EU terrorist list in the measures set down in common position 2001/931/CFSP in January 2019; the measures Ireland has taken to support this decision since it was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44719/20]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

On 9 January 2019, the Council of the European Union added two Iranian individuals and the Directorate for Internal Security of the Iranian Ministry for Intelligence and Security to the EU terrorist list, in response to attempted attacks on European soil.

EU sanctions are implemented in Ireland through EU Council Decisions and Regulations. The Regulations are directly applicable in Irish law. In addition, a Statutory Instrument (SI) is made in order to provide for a criminal offence for breach of the sanctions and for related penalties.

In May 2019, Minister for Finance Donohoe signed a Statutory Instrument under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, which incorporated these EU listings under common position 2001/931/CFSP into Irish law. The Statutory Instrument is available on the Irish Statute Book: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2019/si/85/made/en/pdf.