Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the ambassador. I was a member of the foreign affairs delegation which visited Iran in January. The human rights issue was an important matter for everyone on that delegation. I acknowledge the frank and open discussions we had with everyone we met there on the death penalty, treatment of the Baha'i community and prisoners’ access to legal representation and medical treatment. What progress has been made on these issues? The death penalty was explained to me there but I am against it in all circumstances.

Iran could be a stronger voice on humanitarian issues in the Syrian conflict. We know food deprivation is being used as a weapon of war in the conflict. Iran could be a much stronger voice on that issue because of its influence.