The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, has said the United Nations should be given the opportunity to sort out the stand-off with Iran over its nuclear programme.
Mr Howard, who is on a two-day visit to Ireland, had an hour-long question and answer session with post-graduate students in UCD, Dublin.
He defended his government's opposition to gay marriages and repeated his refusal to offer an apology to Australia's indigenous population saying the best opportunity for Aborigines was to enjoy the benefits of Western civilisation.
Mr Howard was to hold separate meetings with the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, this afternoon.
Tomorrow, he will call on President Mary McAleese before meeting opposition leaders and addressing the Dáil.
Mr Howard is the first Australian leader to visit Ireland since Paul Keating in 1993.
