Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 15: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports of moves and possible preparations by states such as the US, Britain and Israel to militarily assault Iran; if the recent decision to close the Iranian embassy is linked to these developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33711/11]

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 19: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the reports of possible air assaults on Iran; if the recent decision to close the Irish embassy in Iran is linked to this possibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33708/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 19 together.

The decision to close the Irish Embassy in Iran was taken following a review of overseas missions carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which gave particular attention to the economic return from bilateral missions. Trade volumes with Iran have fallen short of expectations with merchandise trade between the two countries in 2010 amounting to €87m. In light of the current pressures on public finances, the Government has decided that such a low volume of trade did not justify maintaining a full diplomatic Mission in Tehran. Ireland will continue to have full diplomatic relations with Iran and the Government intends to seek the appointment of a non-resident Ambassador. I can confirm that there were absolutely no other factors taken into consideration in the Government's decision to close overseas missions.

While I am aware of unconfirmed media reports concerning contingency planning for potential military action against key Iranian nuclear facilities, the closure of our Embassy in Tehran is entirely unrelated to such reports.

Ireland's position on Iran's nuclear activities remains unchanged. We continue to urge the Iranian government to comply fully with all relevant UN Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency Resolutions and to address openly and transparently all the many major concerns which exist within the international community about their nuclear programme.

We fully support the continuing efforts of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the EU3+3 (France, Germany, UK, US, Russia, China), to engage in meaningful dialogue with Iran about these matters and to pursue the twin track of negotiations and application of sanctions until such time as there is full compliance. The Government also remains steadfast in its view and will continue to express this at EU and international level that concerns over Iran's nuclear activities require a diplomatic resolution.