Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I recommend that Fine Gael Members should endorse the motion which states the House "declares its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq and welcomes the stated intention of the coalition to act swiftly to address the food and humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people". The Minister is meeting the non-governmental agencies next week. He is making available funding to provide assistance to the people of Iraq when the war has ended.

I will not delay the House because talk at this time is of no use. We tried through the Security Council to achieve Resolution 1441. I compliment the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, the Taoiseach, the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, all the senior officials and the permanent representative in the United Nations on bringing about Resolution 1441. Without Ireland the motion might not have been brought forward.

We have tremendous influence and a strong role to play in regard to peacekeeping throughout the world. Fianna Fáil, through Mr. de Valera, brought about our neutrality during the Second World War. We have a proud tradition in that regard and we are proud of our heritage. I regard this as being semi-neutral.