Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and hope we will enjoy a good working relationship like that we always had in the past. I visited Iran twice some years ago and we are all keen students of history of the Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Romans so we have an ongoing interest in the area. Some of those regimes were very peaceful and educational and cultural while some were very war-like. It is part of what we are.

The question of weapons grade uranium and the development of a nuclear weapons programme is a difficulty that I understand. Iran says it does not have any such programme and we must be convinced, which is a matter for the Iranians; they must convince the global community. We know there was an unfortunate experience previously with Iraq and the weapons of mass destruction that did not exist. We do not wish to engage in any way in a propaganda war suggesting that something exists when it does not. We need, however, because of the seriousness of the situation in the region, to know what is going on. If something like that is happening, it is of massive importance to Iran's neighbours and the rest of the global community.

Anti-semitism has been discussed at this and other meetings. Because of the sensitive nature of relations in the area anything said by either side to inflame passions is not of any benefit to anyone, not to Iran, its neighbours or the rest of us. I would like clarification of this issue. I am sorry the ambassador must leave so quickly.

Human rights is a huge issue that this committee is particularly interested in. Going back decades, the Irish Government has taken an interest in the issue. While propaganda may give false impressions, from the information we have, and I would like to hear if it is true or not, it appears there is a problem with the observance of human rights in certain quarters with particular reference to the right of the individual to practice his own religion or customs. Deputy Crowe mentioned prisons and people are judged by the manner in which they treat the people who are in custody. It is vital for the benefit of those in power in any administration that human rights are strictly observed. Deputy Crowe's point is valid. Is it possible for international human rights observers to attend and engage with the Iranian authorities to reassure the rest of the global community that basic human rights are being observed? That would be very important and beneficial in the entire Middle East.