Written answers

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs

International Relations

5:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on reports that Iran has successfully launched a satellite and on the geopolitical implications of this launch. [5213/09]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Iran reported on 3 February that it had successfully launched a small satellite into orbit, using its own Safir-2 rocket. Iran had previously put a satellite into space in 2005, using a Russian launch vehicle.

There is of course no reason why Iran should not place satellites into space for peaceful purposes and, in an ideal world, no reason why Iran should not choose to launch them itself, if it so wished. Unfortunately, however, the development of this rocket, taken together with Iran's other actions and policies, can only heighten concerns about the nature of Iran's nuclear programme, which as Deputies know has been an issue of serious concern for some years.

In over 50 years since the launch of the first satellite, very few nations have thought it necessary or practicable to incur the huge financial and other outlays required to develop their own launch capability. Iran becomes only the ninth country to do so. Most countries choose to launch their satellites via one of the existing programmes, and it is difficult to see why Iran's requirements should be different.

The Iranian capability is a by-product of a long-running and extensive programme of developing longer range military missiles. The Safir-2 rocket is an adaptation of the military Shahab-3, which itself is based on a North Korean design. The Shahab-3 is believed to have a range of almost 1,000 miles.

Iran has invested a huge amount in the development of these military missiles, at a time when the oil industry on which its entire economy depends is suffering serious problems due to under-investment. The value of these missiles against military targets is minimal — they can only really be aimed at cities, and would be most effective only if equipped with non-conventional warheads. The IAEA is at the same time seeking an explanation for evidence that Iran has bought designs for a nuclear warhead to fit these missiles; evidence Iran has so far refused to address. There is the additional concern that Iran is now believed to have supplied shorter range military missiles to the Hamas and Hezbollah militant groups, who have used them to attack Israeli civilians.

These factors, taken together with the nature of Iran's nuclear programme itself, have led to grave concerns among Iran's neighbours and the wider international community about Iran's intentions. Ireland shares those concerns.

These reports underline the urgency of continuing efforts, including those of the EU3 (France, Germany and the UK) + 3 (U.S., Russia and China) to persuade Iran to turn aside from this course. I very much hope that Iran's leaders will respond positively to those efforts.

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