Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Enright assiduously agrees on that point.

In response to Deputy Shatter, I did not meet the President of Iran. Were we to meet in our bilateral relations with the Republic of Iran at ministerial level, we would, of course, reiterate strongly the common position of the European Union on the continuing refusal of Iran to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency's, IAEA, requirements. We wish to facilitate the use of nuclear technology for the purpose of civilian use, should Iran so wish, on a transparent basis and under the conditions required by the various treaties that apply on non-proliferation, etc. We acknowledge and agree that the obtaining of such technology for any other purpose would create a serious security risk for the region, one that must be avoided at all costs. We must pursue the diplomatic efforts being made in the clear knowledge of the need for compliance with these requirements in the interest of all concerned.

This is not an issue that has been raised with me by US politicians in recent times. However, one is aware of the deep concerns in the United States with regard to the Middle East generally. I agree it would be far better if everyone in the region was to act constructively in an effort to find a permanent solution to the problem in the Middle East, one that would involve the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and provide full security for the State of Israel.

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