Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had meetings with the US ambassador or any US official regarding the decision to close the embassy in Iran and that no pressure in this regard has been exerted by the EU European External Action Service; and his views that significant opportunities for trade with Iran exist, particularly for the construction and food processing industries but are constrained by the fact that Irish foreign policy is subservient to US and EU policy in relation to Iran. [2564/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As I have previously reported to this House, including in my reply to Parliamentary Question 15 on 10 November, 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. We experienced no pressure from any third country to close our Embassy in Tehran and I had no meetings with the representative of any foreign government on the matter. In light of the current pressures on public finances, the Government decided that the low volume of trade over a prolonged period 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. The Government remains committed to maintaining and developing our relations with Iran including, to the extent that it may be possible, in the economic area. I can again confirm that there were absolutely no other factors taken into consideration in the Government's decision to close the Embassy in Tehran or any other overseas mission.