The Sligo-Leitrim TD, Mr John Ellis, made written representations last year to the Taoiseach and to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to the reopening of the Iranian beef market.
Correspondence obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that Mr Ellis asked Mr Ahern and Mr Andrews about the implementation of the Ireland-Iran Joint Commission, which provides for the resumption of Irish beef exports to Iran.
The letters show that 10 years after Mr Ellis's meat-processing business collapsed, owing farmers in the west more than u£300,000, he still showed an active interest in the beef trade.
Mr Ellis told Mr Ahern in a letter dated August 18th, 1998, that he had spoken with the Iranian ambassador, Mr Amin-Rad. "He informs me that he is meeting some resistance from his own officials in Tehran due to the failure of the Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the Joint Commission that was agreed some time ago," Mr Ellis wrote.
"I feel that in view of the crisis in Russia Foreign Affairs should be asked to progress this commission as quickly as possible."
Mr Ellis received an acknowledgement of the letter from the Taoiseach's Department on August 20th, and on September 1st Mr Andrews replied to the letter. Mr Andrews said he appreciated the importance of the Iranian market and the restoration of access to this market for Irish beef suppliers remained a priority for the Government.
Mr Ellis asked for an update in a letter to Mr Andrews on October 8th, 1998. Replying on October 27th, Mr Andrews said he had had a meeting on September 23rd in New York with the Iranian Foreign Minister where he mentioned the importance attached by Ireland to trade with Iran.
"I asked the Ambassador in Tehran meanwhile to ensure that suitable appointments at high level were made for Minister Joe Walsh, in the course of his visit 5-8 October. I believed this visit went quite well and that Minister Walsh met not only the Minister for Agriculture but also the Minister for the Jihad, the Minister for Commerce and the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.
"As a direct result of those discussions, arrangements were made for a further visit to Ireland by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Iran who is in Dublin, with his delegation, this week."
The letter added: "Ambassador Amin-Rad called on me last week before leaving Ireland. I told him, as I had already said to the Foreign Minister, that I was looking forward to visiting Iran for the next meeting of the Ireland-Iran Joint Commission . . . By the time the meeting takes place I would hope that beef exports would already have resumed."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture said last night that in January of this year the go-ahead was given by the Iranians for the resumption of Irish beef imports. Since then some Irish beef companies had contacted potential customers in Iran, but no exports of beef had yet taken place, she added.