As the Minister of State pointed out, Ireland has a long and proud tradition of peace-keeping and of the provision of humanitarian assistance around the world. Given our position in the UN and in the wider international community, it is imperative we ensure whatever assistance required is given to the ordinary people of Iraq as soon as possible. Recently, we heard many expressions of horror at the fate of the ordinary men, women and children of that country. Where have the people who have expressed these opinions been for the last 12 years? Under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, we have heard reports of children starving and being denied medical treatment.