Seamus Kirk
Ceist:30 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to visit Iran. [23396/96]
Written Answers. - Visit to Iran.
Considerable efforts have been made to ensure the removal of any obstacles to beef exports to Iran. During its visit to this country, the Iranian Veterinary Organisation presented a veterinary Protocol. Some elements of that Protocol are not acceptable to us. Following recent bilateral discussions between the Taoiseach and the Iranian Vice-President during the World Food Summit in Rome, it was agreed that an Irish technical delegation would visit Iran in the near future in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.
My objective, if at all possible, is to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the Iranian Veterinary Organisation but that will depend very much on its position in relation to the conditions which are not acceptable to us. I have indicated my willingness to visit Iran but the timing of any such visit will be influenced by the extent of progress made in the technical discussions.