Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's question reminds me that I visited Erbil just after the Iraq war. The Kurds there are an extraordinarily resilient people, as they are in Kurdish parts of Turkey.

A referendum on independence was held by the Kurdistan Regional Government in September 2017. On 6 November, the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq issued an opinion stating the referendum was illegal, and the Kurdistan Regional Government has confirmed its respect for that opinion. The Federal Government has taken steps to re-establish a presence at Iraq’s external border crossings, including the international airports in the Kurdistan region. I recognise that, following the referendum, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed by Erbil and Baghdad, and I call on both parties to engage in a constructive and comprehensive dialogue. Ireland supports efforts towards a mutually agreed solution, based on the full application of the provisions of the Iraqi constitution.

In its June 2017 Council conclusions, the EU reiterated its steadfast support for Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its firm and active commitment to the preservation of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-confessional nature of Iraqi society, including the protection of its minority groups. In order to achieve the objective of building a common vision on the future of the country, the EU believes that it is now essential for Iraqis to embark on an inclusive process of reconciliation, both at the national and at the local level. The EU believes that the general interest of Iraqi people is best served through dialogue and co-operation. I take this opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s support for the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

Ireland has consistently called for inclusive democratic measures to allow for genuine national reconciliation, in order to create the environment for long-term viable stability in Iraq and the wider region. If specific commitments were made by my predecessor, I will follow up on them and get back to the Deputy.

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