Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader consider a debate on the UN role in Iraq? This matter came up for urgent debate in the Council of Europe last week. The reason for the urgency was the change in the emphasis of American involvement in Iraq and its reconstruction. During the Taoiseach's excellent address to the General Assembly of the United Nations he indicated that if a request were forthcoming from the United Nations and the triple lock mechanism of the approval of the Security Council, the Government and the Dáil were to come into play Ireland could consider sending troops. This raises serious questions because of the ongoing terrorist attacks on troops in Iraq.