Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Deputies are asking for with regard to the Iranian ambassador. I ask them to trust me when I say the ambassador knows exactly what our views on this issue are. One of the differences between Iran and Russia is that I have had a number of conversations with my Iranian counterpart because Ireland has a specific role on the Security Council regarding trying to re-establish the joint comprehensive plan of action, which is the Iranian nuclear deal, which is linked to sanctions. I suspect that I will be speaking to my Iranian counterpart in the near future so I will have a direct opportunity to raise our concerns and the concerns of this House directly with the Iranian foreign minister, which is a much more powerful tool in some ways than raising it with the ambassador. The Deputies must trust me when I say the ambassador will also be very clear about our concerns and the perspective of this House. I suspect he is listening to this debate as well.

Regarding what we can do at EU level, I will give the House a sense of Ireland's view on Iran and sanctions. Sanctions constitute an important tool of foreign policy that is used to deter states from pursuing actions that threaten international stability or harm citizens in their own country, including through human rights abuses. Since 2011, the EU has applied sanctions against individuals and entities complicit in or responsible for directing or implementing grave human rights violations in Iran. Ireland works with its partners in the EU to ensure all sanctions regimes are targeted and contain clear exemptions for humanitarian actors. The list is regularly reviewed and updated. In light of recent protests, the EU is considering a range of responses, including expanding its targeted sanctions against those who violate human rights. There is an ongoing conversation about how we can be impactful in terms of targeted sanctions in response to the concerns of the EU and Ireland regarding what is happening in Iran.

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