Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to the nuclear programme of Iran; the stance he has taken at EU level to ensure that the nuclear non-proliferation pact is complied with by all EU states; his views on the pressure that should be put on Iran to ensure it does not convert its nuclear energy programme into a nuclear weapons programme as Israel has done in the past in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8888/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am deeply concerned at Iran's announcement on 11 February that it has produced its first batch of uranium enriched to 20%. This is in clear violation of successive UN Security Council resolutions calling on Iran to cease its uranium enrichment activities, and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This latest development coincides with the IAEA report of 18 February on Iran which expresses the Agency's concerns about "the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile". The IAEA continues to report that Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation to permit the Agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities. Until Iran cooperates fully as requested, the international community will continue to have legitimate concerns about the ultimate purpose of Iran's nuclear programme.

The EU has been active in trying to find a resolution to the Iranian nuclear dispute through its involvement in the E3+3 process. While Iran in recent months seemed to have revived its interest in a confidence building measure to have its existing stockpile of low enriched uranium sent out of the country for further processing, this opening now appears to have been closed by Iran's latest enrichment pronouncement.

Ireland has consistently supported the efforts of the E3+3. We have made clear in the past 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.