The Minister for Foreign Affairs has written to the authorities in Iran to express his concern about the kidnapping of Irishman Mr Aidan Leahy.
Mr Leahy, who is in his thirties, was kidnapped by Iranian drug dealers on December 1st while on a cycling holiday in the country. Two Germans he was travelling with were also seized.
They were abducted near the city of Zahedan, capital of the Sistan-Baluchestan province, close to Iran's borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of €5 million.
In reply to a written question from Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs Mr Gay Mitchell, Mr Cowen said the Irish embassy in Tehran had been in "daily contact" with the Iranian authorities.
Embassy officials, working closely with their counterparts at the German embassy in Iran, have met with representatives of both the interior and foreign ministries. Mr Cowen said it was clear that both Ministries "are aware of the seriousness of the situation and are fully committed to seeing it resolved as quickly as possible".
"The Embassy in Tehran has also remained in daily contact with local authorities in Baluchistan-Sistan Province, who are coordinating the search for the missing persons and have already established a task-force for this purpose."
Mc Cowen added: "I have written to Dr Kamal Kharrazi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran, to express my concern about the situation, which I know he shares, and my confidence that the Iranian authorities will spare no effort to secure the release of the captives.
"I also thanked him for the prompt action of his Government, in particular for facilitating the direct contact between our Embassy and the Iranian authorities working to resolve the situation."
The Department of Foreign Afffairs has also been in contact with the German foreign ministry in the interests of sharing information and ensuring a "coordinated approach towards a speedy resolution of the matter".
Mr Cowen also said his officials had been in close touch with the family of Mr Leahy and had kept them informed of all developments in the case. "I hope that this matter can be resolved as quickly as possible," he said.
The chairman of the Irish Red Cross has also met the Iranian ambassador to discuss Mr Leahy's case. Mr David Andrews was assured "every assistance" would be given to the Ireland and Germany in Tehran for the safe return of Mr Aidan Leahy, the Red Cross said.