Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, who has done tremendous work abroad and whose statements are welcome. I wish him continued success in his ministry. I would also like to put on record my appreciation to Senator Michael Kitt and Deputy Michael D. Higgins for going to Iraq, which was a very important mission. The report by Senator Michael Kitt is very worthwhile.

On 6 November last, I called for a debate on the crisis developing in Iraq. There is enormous interest in the Seanad in discussing these issues and I compliment the Minister of State on his excellent contribution to the debate.

We have a few choices to make. Saddam Hussein can prevent war by stepping down and being given asylum in another country, which would be given UN support in providing him with accommodation. This would remove the current threat from the United States of America, Great Britain and other countries who will be engaged in the war. If there was agreement to the continued presence of the UN inspectors and a peace force to be stationed in Iraq, with the agreement of the Administration there, it would certainly allay fears that the regime was building up a stockpile of weapons or producing nuclear weapons, as is being alleged. The Secretary of State, Colin Powell's, statement to the United Nations yesterday outlined the cover-ups that are taking place. The inspectors are now on the ground and will be examining the evidence provided yesterday by the United States.