Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 127: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the fact that the US Administration may choose a military response to the question of Iranian nuclear capability, in contrast with the consultative and diplomatic steps being taken by the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2651/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 155: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions being taken to assess the nuclear capability of Iran; if he will report on the action at European level to work with Iran to address this nuclear concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2623/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 155 together.

There is widespread international concern about Iran's development of its nuclear programme, in particular its uranium enrichment component and its compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. This concern is the subject of regular consultations between the European Union and the United States.

Based on these consultations, it is my understanding that the US is supportive of the EU's efforts to engage with Iran with a view to addressing through dialogue the concerns of the international community about its nuclear programme. I am not aware of any intention on the part of the US to take military action against Iran and I have not discussed such a possibility with my EU counterparts. Rather, our attention is very much focused on our efforts to reach a satisfactory outcome to our current dialogue with the Iranian authorities.

It has been more than two years since Iran's undeclared nuclear programme was first brought to the attention of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, and the director general of the agency has presented seven written reports on the subject since June 2003. The latest report was discussed at the last meeting of the IAEA board of governors which took place in Vienna in November 2004. A resolution on Iran, adopted by consensus at that meeting, underlined the importance of Iran extending full and prompt co-operation to the director general in his investigations into the remaining outstanding issues identified in his last report, in particular the origin of uranium contamination found at various locations in the country and the extent of Iran's efforts to import, manufacture and use certain types of centrifuges. It requested the director general to report to the board on his findings, as appropriate.

The director general has also called for the co-operation of other countries in helping to resolve these outstanding issues and I would urge all countries to respond positively to his appeal. As emphasised in the IAEA resolution, full and sustained implementation of the suspension is essential to addressing outstanding issues.

The issue has been followed closely at European level throughout this time. Negotiations between Iran and France, Germany and the UK, supported by the high representative, resulted in agreement on nuclear issues and future co-operation. Under this agreement, Iran, inter alia, reaffirmed that it does not and will not seek to acquire nuclear weapons and committed itself to full transparency and co-operation with the IAEA. Iran, moreover, decided to voluntarily suspend all enrichment and reprocessing activities and to invite the IAEA to verify and to monitor the suspension. The agreement further provided for negotiations on a long-term agreement which will cover political and security issues, technology and co-operation, and nuclear issues, work on which commenced last month. Iran's commitment to sustaining the suspension, while these negotiations are under way, is stated in the agreement to be essential for the continuation of the overall process.

The European Council last December welcomed this agreement and underlined that sustaining the full suspension of all enrichment related and reprocessing activities was essential for the continuation of the overall process. It supported further efforts with a view to reaching an agreement on long-term arrangements. The European Council confirmed its conclusions of 5 November 2004 on the resumption of the negotiations on a trade and co-operation agreement after recent verification of suspension. The European Council confirmed the Union's readiness to explore ways to further develop political and economic co-operation with Iran, following action by Iran to address other areas of concern of the EU regarding the fight against terrorism, human rights and Iran's approach to the Middle East peace process.

A steering committee to launch these negotiations met in December 2004 and established working groups on political and security issues, technology and co-operation, and nuclear issues. Those working groups met last month, and their work is ongoing. Under the terms of the Paris Agreement, the steering committee will meet again before the end of March to receive progress reports from the working groups and to move ahead with projects and-or measures that can be implemented in advance of an overall agreement.