Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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876. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any contact with the Israeli embassy regarding the tone and manner of its online discourse, which is incredibly inaccurate and aggressive in its approach and tone, towards any person who highlights the plight of the Palestinian people. [37746/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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My Department has regular contact with the Israeli Embassy here in Dublin on a range of issues. The Department does not hesitate to raise issues of concern directly with the Israeli Embassy, if that is deemed the most appropriate channel.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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877. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent election that took place in Egypt. [37767/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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My Department has received reports from the European Union Expert Election Mission on the first phase of Egypt's parliamentary election.

This first phase took place on 18 - 19 October, in 14 out 27 governorates. According to the High Election Committee, 27,402,353 voters were registered to vote in these governorates at 13,485 polling stations (PS) located in 5,459 polling centres. Individual constituencies were contested by 2,548 candidates and 60 seats were contested by eight lists registered by four coalitions (six lists) and two parties (two lists). Of the individual candidates, 1666 were party non-affiliated ('independent') and 882 were registered by parties. Out-of-country voting (OCV) was held on 17 and 18 October in 139 Egyptian embassies abroad.

According to the EU Mission, the environment on the two election days was generally calm, with heavy security by police and military around the Polling Stations. Polling took place from 09.00 to 21.00 with a one hour lunch break from 14.30 to 15.30.

At the time of reply, my Department has received no reports on the conduct of the second round of voting. I do not propose to comment on the elections as this would be inappropriate while the process is still ongoing.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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878. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding banking costs and charges for Irish exporters; his plans to address this matter which is impacting on trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37816/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The issues raised by the Deputy relate to the sanctions placed on Iran as part of the dispute over aspects of Iran's nuclear programme.

There were no sanctions on food exports, nor were there general sanctions on Iranian banking. However, over time most individual banks in Iran were placed under sanctions because of their involvement in efforts to evade the sanctions on the nuclear and military sectors. For this reason, and because of other specific US sanctions on financial dealings with Iran, many banks in Ireland and other countries became reluctant to engage in business with Iranian banks, including in relation to business activities which were not themselves subject to sanctions.

It is important to be clear that these sanctions are still in place. While it is anticipated that, in line with the agreement on the nuclear issue reached in July, the EU sanctions and some of the US sanctions will be removed in the next few months, this has not yet taken place. So the constraints under which banks were operating still apply.

I have strongly welcomed the nuclear agreement with Iran, and like others I hope that this may lead to increased opportunities for Irish trade with Iran. I hope that Irish banks and other banks in Europe will feel able to provide normal services in support of such trade, once sanctions are removed. But that point has not yet been reached.

When, as is anticipated, sanctions are removed, it will be for the banks as commercial entities to decide how far and how fast they are willing to re-engage in business with Iran. My Department will be happy to provide any assistance and encouragement, and a policy of openness and transparency on the part of the Iranian authorities will also be important.