The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, today begins a three-day trade visit to Iran during which he will seek to reopen the beef trade between the two states.
Ireland has been negotiating with the Iranian authorities for some time since Iran refused to accept exports of Irish cattle because of concerns about BSE.
Prices of Irish cattle have been badly depressed since the loss of exports totalling 70,000 tonnes following the economic turmoil in Russia last year.
The Minister will be accompanied by officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Trade and Enterprise.