Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, given the alleged involvement of Iran in the drug trafficking operation halted by the MV Matthew in November 2023, he or his Department have raised this issue with their Iranian counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38516/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The boarding of the MV Matthew and subsequent seizure of drugs was a complex operation involving the Joint Task Force, which comprises Revenue Customs Service, the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. I commend all of those involved for the successful seizure of the ship and building the case that has led to eight people receiving significant sentences in the Courts.

The Deputy will appreciate that the investigation into this shipment is continuing, and these convictions do not represent the end of this. INTERPOL and other international law enforcement agencies are now investigating where the shipment came from and who financed it. As these investigations are at an early stage and are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to speculate or comment on these matters, as to do so could be prejudicial to outcome of these investigations.