Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you. I compliment each of you on the presentations you have made. You have brought something to our attention of which we were already aware, but to hear it described in the way that you have is particularly important. The committee members, each in their turn, have already raised and dealt with the issue in the House, as has the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is true to say that we would all prefer if we could do more but there is a limit to the extent to which a country can interfere in the internal affairs of another country, as we have found out in recent debates and discussion at this committee.

We also hark back to warnings given before the invasion of Iraq that an invasion would destabilise the entire region and lead to violent clashes between various ethnic groups. The invasion, however, was outside the control of this committee, the Government and, for that matter, the European Union. Information placed in the public domain concerning weapons of mass destruction was used as the basis for the invasion of Iraq. It was subsequently shown to have been incorrect and, sadly, the cost has been great.

The witnesses made some interesting points which the committee will bring to the attention of the Minister. I have no doubt members will also have interesting points to make.