Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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692. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to re-open the Irish Embassy in Iran; the steps being undertaken by the Government to promote and grow trade links between the two countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41410/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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My Department takes a range of factors into account when considering the expansion of the Embassy and Consular network overseas. These factors include our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The configuration and scale of the State’s diplomatic and consular network is kept under ongoing review by the Government. My Department and the Embassy in Ankara provide appropriate assistance and advice to Irish companies interested in trading to Iran. The regular visits to Iran by the Ambassador in Ankara include a strong trade focus, including visits arranged to coincide with visiting Irish business groups. Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland have also conducted exploratory visits to Iran and further such visits are expected.