Seanad debates

Tuesday, 4 November 2003

Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements.

 

While I hope the $33 billion, which the Minister said has been pledged by the international donor community, will materialise, I wonder if this will be the case. The Minister of State mentioned the international reconstruction fund facility. It is very important that the fund is administered in a transparent and accountable manner and that it is used properly and effectively. The NGO representatives on the fringes of the Madrid summit a few weeks ago raised the issue of the transparency of the administration of the oil for food funds. It should be top of the Irish agenda to ensure that the money is spent properly in an open and accountable fashion. I agree with the points made by other Senators and the Minister of State that the money should be spent for the benefit of the Iraqi people and that they should have a say in how it is spent. Various suggestions have been made as to how that would be done.

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