Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It is a dangerous situation. The General Affairs Council has discussed it. I do not wish to comment on the EU three because they have represented the EU for a number of years. However, all the discussions and policies were enunciated at the General Affairs Council, even as late as this week. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, is still involved, which is good because if there is to be progress, it must be involved. We will see what happens on this issue on 2 and 3 February when the agency meets in Vienna. Outside our role in the General Affairs Council, I do not envisage Ireland having a more enhanced role in this area in the short term.

I spoke earlier about India and the nuclear issue. India is aware that if it wishes to make any progress on this, it must convince the nuclear suppliers group. India is prepared to do whatever it is asked to do by the suppliers group and the international community and to give whatever guarantees are required on proliferation issues, provided it can secure a deal on nuclear power issues. Obviously, the authorities will not show their hand but they made it clear to me that nuclear energy is necessary for energy requirements and for the future development of their huge country. They know they must give guarantees on the other side but they are prepared to do that. However, they are hell-bent on securing nuclear energy for those purposes so I believe they will comply with whatever the international agreements require of them.

Did the Deputy have another question?

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