Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

We do not have to be on the side of war but if the choice is between an American view of the world or Saddam Hussein's view, then I know what side I am on. Ireland has major historical, political, economic and social links with the United States. We owe a huge historical debt of gratitude to the American people. We should use our friendly political links with the United States to good effect in this international dispute to try to ensure calm is maintained for as long as is practically possible.

We cannot ignore, however, what the United Nations has reported about Iraq. In 1999 the United Nations reported that Saddam Hussein had biological weapons sufficient to kill several million people. It also found that Iraq had produced over 25,000 litres of anthrax and had over 40,000 litres of other biological toxins. I have no doubt that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction and fear that, unchecked, he is exactly the type of tyrant who would be willing to use them.

Let us not forget that this is the man who has kept an evil grip on his own country for many years, a grip strengthened by fear and torture. Let us not ignore the stories from Iraqi refugees and defectors who have told us of the forced confessions obtained by torturing children while their parents watched helplessly. Let us not ignore what has been reported by international human rights groups. The Iraqi people have been tortured by this unelected dictator by means of electric shock, burning with hot irons, dripping of acid on their skin, mutilation with electric drills, having their tongues cut out and being raped. We have all read about the 100% support for Saddam Hussein during the recent election; we know the value of that election – nil.

Saddam Hussein is the cause of the current conflict. He is the person who invaded Kuwait in 1990 and the person who has used poisonous gas on his people—