Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community has established visiting rights in respect of prisoners held by the various protagonists in the Middle East with particular reference to the need to ensure that basic human rights are observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49543/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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In its engagement with countries across the Middle East region, the EU works to advance protection of human rights as a standard element in its dialogue with all these countries. This includes the full range of human rights issues, including issues relating to prisoners.The conditions relating to prisoners, including issues such as visiting rights, vary from country to country across the Middle East region and it is not possible to characterise them generally. While the situation in relation to such prisoners may in many cases be less than satisfactory, we are at least able to press for better treatment for them. We are also conscious, however, of numerous instances of persons held in various territories by non-state actors, who are in general accorded no visiting rights at all, and no assurance of their wellbeing or indeed their safety.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to monitor and encourage the administration in Iran towards democratisation; the extent to which events to date show hopeful signs of progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49544/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Iranian system cannot be considered a democracy in our terms, in that the people do not ultimately have full control of the system, and opposition voices are excluded from the system and in particular from contesting elections. Nonetheless, it should also be recognised that the Iranian people enjoy greater political participation than in many countries in the region, and that the Majlis, while open only to supporters of the system, is not merely a rubber stamp assembly.In the recent Presidential election, while the people were not offered a free choice of candidates, it is clear that President Rouhani was the popular choice for President, and holds a clear mandate. President Rouhani has come to office with a commitment to greater openness and respect for human rights. In terms of delivery, these are early days, and the new administration is heavily committed to an attempt to make progress on the nuclear issue. We need also to remain aware that there are other political forces in Iran, many of whom may be highly resistant to change. We will be observing closely what happens in Iran, and trying where we can to encourage positive change.