Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consequences arising for the State and companies here as a result of the withdrawal of the United States from the Iranian nuclear agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25223/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The decision of the United States to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement (JCPOA) is a matter of great regret. I have stated clearly on a number of occasions that the Iran nuclear agreement was a significant diplomatic achievement, that it was delivering as intended, and that, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran had implemented its commitments under the agreement. Ireland's views on this have been clearly conveyed to the US Government on a number of occasions. We do share the US's concerns about Iran's activities in the region, including its ballistic missile programme, and poor human rights record, but believe that none of these issues can be better addressed without the JCPOA in place.

While EU and UN sanctions were not reimposed following the US decision last year, US sanctions have deterred some EU trade with Iran. However, other EU partners have been more exposed than Ireland in this regard, as two of the most important sectors for Ireland, foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals/medical equipment, were never subject to sanctions. The fact that US financial sanctions had remained in place, even after the signing of the nuclear agreement, has meant that Irish banks have continued to be very cautious in handling payments originating in Iran. This had already been a significant factor inhibiting significant growth in trade with Iran. However, bilateral trade has increased since the implementation of the nuclear deal.

The E-3 group (France, Germany and the UK) have established INSTEX, a special purpose vehicle designed to insulate financial transactions with Iran from the US financial system and US sanctions. Ireland fully supports the establishment of INSTEX, and while it is not yet in operation, I am hopeful that it will be able to deliver as intended.

Ireland and the EU will continue to endeavour to ensure the effective implementation of the JCPOA and adherence to its commitments by all remaining parties. Ireland believes that there is no credible peaceful alternative to the JCPOA.

While Iran's frustration with the impact on their economy of the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement is understandable, I nevertheless deeply regret comments made by Iran last month indicating that it may not continue to adhere to the JCPOA. Ireland's and the EU's view is that all parties to the agreement should continue to implement their commitments. The Middle East is a safer region with the JCPOA in operation, and would be less safe without it.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the response of Ireland to the enactment of Title III and IV of the US Helms-Burton Act by the US President, Donald Trump, in May 2019 which aims to internationally strengthen the application of the blockade and economic sanctions against Cuba; his views on whether the enactment of Title III and IV will affect the progression of the EU-Cuba Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24943/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and our EU partners have been following developments on the Helms-Burton Act over the last number of months and the issue has been discussed on several occasions at the EU Council Working Party on Transatlantic Relations (COTRA), at which Ireland has been represented at official level. It was also discussed at yesterday's FAC.

Ireland’s reaction to the suspension of waivers remains in lockstep with that of our EU partners and we also echo the statement made by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 2 May, which stated that "The EU considers the extra-territorial application of unilateral restrictive measures to be contrary to international law and will draw on all appropriate measures to address the effects of the Helms-Burton Act, including in relation to its WTO rights and through the use of the EU Blocking Statute."

Fundamentally, Ireland believes that the US embargo on Cuba serves no constructive purpose and that its lifting would facilitate an opening of Cuba’s economy to the benefit of its people. In addition, we are not persuaded that the continued embargo is contributing in a positive way to the democratic transition in Cuba.

Together with our EU partners, Ireland has also firmly and continuously opposed extraterritorial measures that seek to extend the US embargo against Cuba to third countries, as contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade.

I do not believe that developments on the Helms-Burton act will adversely affect the EU-Cuba Agreement. Last week, Minister of State McEntee was before the Oireachtas on this very issue to support the internal Irish legislative process which is required to enact the Agreement within the EU. It is my hope that this process in Ireland and the EU will be completed swiftly to allow for the important and timely Agreement to come into full effect, for the mutual benefit of EU and Cuban citizens.