(C) IRELAND/IRAN: DISSUADING IRAN FROM

S E C R E T DUBLIN 000366 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2015 TAGS: ASEC PREL SUBJECT: (C) IRELAND/IRAN: DISSUADING IRAN FROM INTERFERING IN IRAQI POLITICS REF: STATE 41957 Classified By: MARY E. DALY FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D (S) On March 24, Stephen Dawson, deputy director of the DFA's Middle East section,told POL/ECON Chief that Ireland would look for an opportunity to raise Iraqi government formation with Iranian officials and dissuade them from interfering. He felt that Ireland's voice alone would not carry much weight. Asked if Ireland would favor an EU approach, he said Ireland would defer to the EU 3's view and would not want to raise any issues that would complicate talks on Iran's nuclear capabilities. BENTON