Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

To the best of my knowledge, there have been no discussions with my officials on the structure, federal or otherwise, of the Iraqi Government. As I said in previous replies, the EU is adamant that the Government's formation is entirely a matter for the Iraqi people and that the Administration to be formed must be as broadly based as possible. All efforts should be made in that area.

As the Deputy knows, the UN mandate is sometimes misunderstood in terms of the presence of the multinational force currently in Iraq. On 8 November 2005, the UN Security Council unanimously mandated for the first time the presence of the international force to continue until 2006 or any earlier period. While it does not currently appear as though it will leave, troops must comply with all international laws and standards on human rights.

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