Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Deputy Boyd Barrett has a separate question on Khader Adnan. When we reach that question I will expand more fully on the subject but I understand from our officials that an understanding might have been reached in the last few hours, which would include Mr. Adnan ending his hunger strike on the basis of certain understandings he has reached. A supreme court case was due to be heard this morning and, while I do not yet have confirmation of this, I have a note to the effect that progress has been made on the matter. That would be very welcome.

As regards the issue raised by Deputy Wallace, a military strike by anybody on Iran would be disastrous. When I was in Israel there was much speculation in the Israeli press about the possibility of a military strike against Iran. I made it very clear that Ireland would be absolutely opposed to such a strike, and this view is shared in the European Union. I hope the very robust decision of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council to impose sanctions on Iran will receive a positive response from everybody concerned and that no military action will be taken against Iran. In addition, since that decision was taken there are indications that Iran is now showing a greater willingness to engage in negotiations about its nuclear programme. The purpose of imposing sanctions in the first place was to bring Iran to the table to discuss its nuclear programme.

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