Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

We have had this discussion at the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. I respect the Deputy's viewpoint on this matter. However, I simply cannot agree with the view that Iran has been responsible in meeting its international obligations. I am unsure of the Deputy's views on the integrity of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, but I suspect I have some indication based on some of our previous exchanges. The agency is the implementation body which the Government respects and whose opinion and report, published in November, we give great stock to.

The conclusions of the IAEA on Iran are contrary to Deputy Mac Lochlainn's assertion that it has behaved responsibly. Since 2002, the IAEA has become increasingly concerned about the existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear related activities involving military related organisations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile. The report published in November also states that the lack of co-operation from Iran means that the agency is unable to provide any credible assurance about the absence of undeclared material and activities in Iran. This precarious and dangerous situation threatens not just the Middle East, but global security. I am sorry to say that I cannot agree with the Deputy. We cannot simply turn a blind eye and suggest that Iran has been responsible in meeting its international obligations under the non-proliferation treaty.

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