Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of exports in food products - meat, beef, lamb and fowl - to Iran in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the person who represents Ireland in Iran now that the Iranian Embassy services have been transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14591/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland does not have access for beef or sheepmeat to Iran at present and therefore does not export any meats to Iran. My Department has been in contact with the Iranian authorities, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in furtherance of our continuing efforts to gain access to the Iranian market for Irish beef and sheepmeat. In particular we have been engaged with official veterinarians from Iran to demonstrate the quality and safety of our control systems. We would hope to reach an agreement with the Iranian authorities on a bilateral basis in due course.

The Government plans to maintain diplomatic relations with Iran through the appointment of a non-resident Ambassador. It is proposed to accredit an Ambassador in the region as Ambassador to Iran and the Government is in the process of seeking the agreement of the Iranian authorities to this arrangement.