Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

This is a serious issue, but clearly we do not all share the certainty the Tánaiste's statement indicates he feels. The Irish people, if not the world community, are entitled to that reassurance and certainty. I believe that gardaí, in carrying out their function, should investigate the possibility of wrongdoing rather than wait for a crime to happen. In this instance, it is within the Tánaiste's remit as Minister to indicate, in conjunction with his colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that it is in the interest of truth and right that occasional spot checks be carried out in order to give an indication that there is substance to the Tánaiste's belief.

The Tánaiste must accept that the majority of the people do not believe the assurances given by the US Administration are sufficient or adequate to address this matter and he has a responsibility to take this on board. There was no mandate for the US and British-led invasion of Iraq nor, following investigation, was any evidence presented of the presence of weapons of mass destruction. The contrary is the case. Therefore, their presence was a false pretext for the invasion and this is universally recognised. It is recognised also by citizens of the United States who are probably even more virulent in their opposition than we can represent here today. We must be mindful of this and of the importance of our relations with people in the US.

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