I rise to seek clarity from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the Government’s response to the European Parliament’s recent designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. This decision reflects serious concerns about the IRGC’s role in repression in Iran and its activities beyond the country's borders. Given the gravity of that assessment, it is important for this House to understand Ireland’s considered position.

First, what assessment has the Department undertaken on the implications for Ireland’s foreign policy position? Do we continue with diplomacy as usual, even as the EU identifies a core organ of the Iranian state as a terrorist entity?

Second, what assessment has been carried out on the implications for Ireland’s sanctions regime? Listing the IRGC is not merely about words on paper, it carries operational consequences such as asset freezes and criminalisation of material support. Ireland cannot simply hope someone else enforces these measures. We must know whether our own financial systems, regulators and law enforcement agencies are prepared to implement them in full.

Third, what does this mean for Ireland’s diplomatic engagement? We maintain relations with Tehran and host diplomatic staff, but the IRGC is deeply integrated into the Iranian state apparatus.

Where does that leave us? What risk assessments have been completed? What measures are being taken to ensure Ireland is not a soft entry point for influence operations, intimidation of dissidents or the misuse of diplomatic cover?

Fourth, what assessment has been taken regarding national security? While we do not have publicly reported IRGC activity in Ireland, the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Europol has warned for years of IRGC extraterritorial activities. Other EU states have uncovered plots, surveillance operations and targeted threats on their soil. Have we examined whether similar risks exist here? Have our security services issued guidance, undertaken reviews or strengthened monitoring?

Finally, will Ireland support, advocate for or implement further EU-level or domestic measures arising from this designation? The time for ambiguity has passed. The Irish people deserve clarity, Iranian dissidents deserve solidarity and the international community deserves a partner, not a bystander.

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate that the Foreign Affairs Council is working through the sanctions that will be introduced and that it takes times. However, while I speak and representatives of the US and the Islamic regime are in Geneva, people are being shot for protesting on the streets of Abdanan in Iran. The IRGC is a terrorist organisation and the Iranian Government is a terrorist government. It must be replaced immediately. The IRGC has tentacles that stretch into Gaza with Hamas, into Lebanon with the Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen and in Syria with Bashar al-Assad. These guys know nothing about diplomacy. All they know is the barrel of a gun. That is their diplomacy so the sooner they are replaced, the better.

I am really disappointed with President Trump. He told the people of Iran that help was on its way. I hope he sticks to his word and brings that help to the Iranian people because they are crying out for it on the streets of Iran.

Again, I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Helen McEntee.

Ireland supported the decision to designate Iran's IRGC as a terrorist organisation in response to its role in the violent attacks on street protestors. The final enactment of this designation should be completed in only a few weeks. Implementation of this measure will be done in the same way as existing sanctions. Many members of the IRGC are already subject to these restrictions under other EU sanctions regimes. Designation of the IRGC may well negatively impact on EU-Iran relations and our bilateral relations. However, a clear political statement was needed in response to the IRGC's brutal involvement in the repression of Iranian citizens, both during the protests and for many decades. Iran knows what to do to improve relations.

We remain ready, both nationally and with our EU partners, to ensure that diplomatic channels with Iran remain open, as there remain many issues for which we need to find negotiated solutions. Dialogue is the only way to achieve this. I hope the Iranian authorities will seize the opportunity for meaningful dialogue to address the legitimate concerns of the international community.