Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The configuration of the State's diplomatic and consular network is kept under ongoing review by the Government. A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our political, economic and trade priorities as well as the availability of resources. The deployment of resources is also being considered in the context of the review of Ireland's foreign policy and external relations that is underway in my Department.

I can confirm that consideration was given to re-opening the embassy in Tehran as part of the expansion of the missions' network recently decided on by Government. Based on previous experience, it is estimated that the cost of a small resident mission in Tehran would be of the order of €500,000 per annum. The Government is conscious of the political, economic and trade factors that might warrant the opening of resident diplomatic missions in Iran and several other countries.

However, current resource constraints do not allow us to have resident representation in all the locations that might objectively justify it having regard to the aforementioned factors.

EU and other sanctions against Iran have been a critical factor in bringing Iran to engage in the negotiations now under way to resolve the nuclear issue. Sanctions have been slightly eased as part of the interim agreement reached in November but otherwise remain in force. They can be removed if a comprehensive agreement is reached, as is now hoped. Until then, they must remain in place as their removal now would seriously damage the prospect of reaching agreement on this difficult issue.

See this speech in context