Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7084/10]

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the nuclear threat posed by Iran and the possibility of further UN sanctions being introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7246/10]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States regarding reports of the build up of a missile shield in the Gulf by the US which follows on a recent ballistic missile defence review that described Iran's intermediate and short range missiles as a threat. [7161/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 137 and 140 together.

International concerns about the nature and aims of Iran's nuclear programme, which are shared by Ireland, have been the focus of diplomatic efforts for some years. The EU has been actively engaged with the Iranian authorities since 2004 in trying to reach a satisfactory resolution of this issue. This EU commitment was repeated in the Declaration on Iran which was issued by the European Council in December. An intrinsic element of this approach has been the need to introduce progressively stronger measures which might persuade Iran to reconsider its position. This need is reinforced by the continuing refusal of Iran to comply with its obligations under both IAEA and UN Security Council Resolutions, and by the current stalemate in the negotiations. Consistent with this dual-track approach, the European Council Declaration stated that the Union would support action by the UN Security Council if Iran continues to ignore its obligations.

In line with our consistent support for the efforts of the E3+3, Ireland has always made clear that, in the event of continuing non-compliance by Iran, we could contemplate the adoption of further restrictive measures against Iran. Our strong preference would be for this to be agreed at UN level. If this cannot be achieved, we would be ready to support EU action.

Recent developments have not been helpful. Iran in recent weeks seemed to revive interest in a confidence building measure to have its existing stockpile of low enriched uranium sent out of the country for further processing for medical use. However, this possible opening now appears to have been closed by the latest pronouncements of the Iranian Government, which confirm its intention to enrich the existing uranium stocks to a higher level and to build ten further uranium enrichment plants – facilities for which there is no civilian use in Iran's planned nuclear power programme.

Iran's own neighbours, especially its Gulf Arab neighbours, have long made clear their extreme concern at the implications of Iran's nuclear programme, and indeed have raised the possibility that they may feel obliged to follow a similar path, which would be most unwelcome in an already tense region. It is in this context that recent reports of possible defensive measures, including by US forces based in the Gulf, should be seen. However, it is important to stress that all sides, including the United States, have made clear that they are committed to a peaceful resolution of this issue through diplomacy. This remains the priority for Ireland and our EU partners. President Obama's efforts to engage with Iran in the past year have been noteworthy, and it is deeply regrettable that Iran has so far failed to respond positively.

I am also seriously concerned by the continued suppression, including by violent means, of political demonstrations and dissent in Iran, and by the efforts of the Iranian authorities to link internal dissent with supposed international interference, and thus to demonise – rather than encourage – contact with the outside world. More generally, I have reported to the House on a number of occasions of my efforts to engage with the Iranian authorities, both bilaterally and through EU action, on the steady deterioration of human rights protection in Iran in recent years. Regrettably, these efforts have met with little response.