Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To answer Deputy Barrett directly, this issue is the subject matter of ongoing consideration and discussion. Over the past 12 months, there have been successful visits by Enterprise Ireland and An Bord Bia. Our ambassador who is currently responsible for the country of Iran and who is based in Ankara in Turkey visits the area regularly. I have met some parties who have recently returned from a trade delegation.

Quite bluntly, this is a matter of resources and of many competing demands faced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most important of which is the one raised by Deputy Barrett, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. We are certainly keeping this issue under review. I would like to be in a position to report active progress on it. I am glad the nuclear deal appears to be holding. I accept what Deputy Barrett said in respect of recent elections in Iran. The matter of Ireland's engagement by way of a full-time ambassadorial presence in Iran is under active consideration. I would be happy to keep the committee informed. In the meantime, our Ankara representative has full accreditation in Iran.

I wish to go back to the issue raised by Deputy Darragh O’Brien, not for the first time. I have received a letter from the Chairman of this committee on the matter of clarification regarding last month's elections to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Contrary to what has been said this morning, I have not disclosed the Irish vote, nor indeed will I.