Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State who has played an important humanitarian role since he was appointed. He made his position clear in recent months in the House. I compliment the Leader and the Government on the pragmatic and practical motion before us. This is the first major war of the third millennium, although, unfortunately, the conflict in Palestine continues unabated. However, the Iraqi conflict has been removed from the priority list of the United Nations and the United States. The assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister recently also has not been given the attention it deserves because all eyes are focused on the war in Iraq.

The United States, the United Kingdom and Spain have made a decision to go to war. Our position is clear. The Government endorsed a decision that Ireland would not participate in the coalition's proposed military action against Iraq. The impression has been created that Ireland is directly involved in the war effort but that is not the case, although many hundreds of Irish citizens and Irish-Americans are participating. Our thoughts must be with them and all those involved in the theatre of war. Relatives of many Irish families, including my own, are participating.