A clear timetable is important in order to give the Iraqi people a clear understanding of the transition which lies ahead. It would also lead to a greater sense of confidence that representative government will be achieved sooner rather than later. It is crucial that the Iraqi people be given a sense of ownership over the political reconstruction process. It is clear that this can happen only when security and stability have been re-established in the country. Iraq will remain very much a focus of the Security Council over the coming months. It is now up to the Security Council members to monitor the progress under Resolution 1511 and work towards meeting the Council's aims. The earliest possible restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqi people under a representative government remains the shared key goal. The Security Council deserves Ireland's full support and that of the entire international community in its efforts to achieve this goal. I very much welcome the Secretary General's comment at the Madrid conference that he will do his utmost to implement the mandate established by Security Council Resolution 1511, bearing in mind the inevitable constraints on building the required capacity and his obligation to care for the safety and security of UN staff.