Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The European Union has also condemned the assassination of the Chairman of the Iraqi Governing Council. We further condemn the kidnapping and brutal murder of hostages, in particular the appalling and barbaric murder of Mr. Nick Berg. I have also expressed my deep concern at reports that some 40 people were killed by US forces in an incident last week, the circumstances of which have still to be clarified.

The Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, and I have reiterated our abhorrence at the mistreatment of prisoners in Iraqi prisons time and again. Ireland also made known its concerns directly to the authorities in London and Washington when the allegations of abuse first came to light.

The European Union has, in very clear language, strongly and publicly condemned any instances of abuse and degradation of prisoners in Iraq as contrary to international law, including the Geneva Conventions. The 25 member states of the Union did so together with our eight Arab partners at the Euro-Mediterranean meeting of Foreign Ministers held in Dublin on 5 and 6 May. This was the result of an Irish Presidency proposal. At the same time, we acknowledged the commitment of both governments to bring to justice those responsible for such abuses and also their commitment to rectify any failure to adhere to international humanitarian law.

The EU Council of Ministers, acting upon the initiative of the Irish Presidency, repeated this condemnation in conclusions following its meeting on 17 May and again following the meeting with the Gulf Arab states on the same day. I note there is already an independent international report into the human rights situation in Iraq being prepared by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and I have every confidence this highly respected UN office will carry out its task objectively and impartially.

The transfer of sovereignty to an Iraqi interim government is due to take place in a matter of weeks. Many important provisions have yet to be clarified. The United Nations is playing a vital role in all of this.

A new draft Security Council resolution is under debate in New York. It contains a number of elements, the most important of which are as follows: it endorses the formation of a sovereign interim government of Iraq that will take office by 30 June 2004; it welcomes the commitment of the occupying powers to end the occupation by 30 June 2004 when the interim government will assume responsibility and authority for governing a sovereign Iraq; and it provides for the convening of a national conference and the holding of direct democratic elections no later than 31 January 2005. A transitional national assembly will have responsibility for drafting a permanent constitution for Iraq under which democratic elections to a national government will be held.

The draft outlines in more detail the role for the UN in Iraq, including assisting in the convening of a national conference to select a consultative council and advising on elections; promoting national dialogue and consensus building on the drafting of a national constitution; advising the interim government of Iraq in the development of effective civil and social services; contributing to the co-ordination and delivery of reconstruction, development and humanitarian assistance; and promoting the protection of human rights, national reconciliation and judicial and legal reform.

The draft resolution then reaffirms the authorisation for the multinational force established under Resolution 1511 and provides some detail on the role of the force. It decides further that the mandate for the multinational force shall be reviewed after 12 months. It makes clear that the interim Iraqi government will control oil revenues and enables it to discuss Iraq's debt with international financial institutions.

There is no doubt there are difficult questions to be addressed by the Security Council in looking at these various issues. It is clear the most difficult question concerns the ending of the occupation and how that relates to the security issue. In other words, decisions will have to be taken on the future role and structure of the multinational force in Iraq and the relationship it will have with the interim Iraqi government to which sovereignty will be transferred on 1 July.

The text now before the Security Council is a draft and discussion has only begun. It is clear that, as is normal, there are differences between the permanent five members as to how exactly the issues should be resolved. The Irish Government will welcome any resolution that gains the requisite support and satisfies the concerns of the UN on its mission in Iraq. It must also, of course, be in keeping with the goal of seeing the earliest possible restoration of sovereignty of Iraq to a democratically elected Iraqi government.

The European Union is committed to playing a significant role in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq within the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions. At the Madrid donors' conference, the European Union pledged €700 million until the end of 2004. The European Council will consider a medium-term strategy for Iraq at its meeting in June. We wish to see a prosperous, stable and sovereign Iraq whose territorial integrity is preserved. This will be essential for stability in the region and beyond and we will continue to work with the international community to achieve this objective.

I understand the Seanad was also anxious to debate the current situation in Iran and therefore I will make some brief comments on it. For many years, the European Union has been trying to develop its relations with Iran. It has pursued dialogue with the Iranian authorities, intended to explore areas of disagreement and concern and to bring their two positions closer together wherever possible. The principal areas are human rights, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and the Middle East peace process.

The European Union has particularly welcomed and supported the reform efforts conducted by the Government of President Khatami. It has, however, noted with regret that successes achieved earlier in his term of office have not always been sustained. Two areas in particular stand out. In recent months there has been a number of worrisome developments regarding Iran's nuclear programme. The International Atomic Energy Agency has noted a series of serious shortcomings. While Iran has made some effort to move to meet these concerns, there are still several outstanding questions that must be fully cleared up if the international community is to have confidence in Iran's declared position that its nuclear programme serves only peaceful purposes.

The European Union strongly urges Iran to co-operate fully and proactively with the IAEA to resolve all these questions in a spirit of transparency. We hope Iran will comply fully with the provisions set out by the IAEA board of governors at their meeting in March. The EU considers it very important that Iran meet its commitments within the agreed timeframe.

The other major issue of immediate concern relates to human rights in Iran where what limited progress has taken place has resulted in little overall improvement in the observance of human rights. Widespread abuse persists and I call on the Iranian authorities to act immediately to bring Iran into line with internationally mandated standards of behaviour.

I repeat the European Union's deep regret and disappointment at the interference by the Council of Guardians in the recent Majlis elections. We believe that this interference is a setback for the democratic process in Iran. We hope that Iran will soon return to the path of reform and democratisation.

It is most important for all those directly involved to be aware of the linkages between these different problems. Action taken in one area has implications for the evolution of events in other areas. Nothing can be dealt with in isolation and what is done today will have its repercussions in the future. None of these problems is intractable. In every case, there is a way forward and we must not give into despair. The solutions will require a large measure of courage, wisdom and determination. We in Ireland, both nationally and as a member of the European Union and the wider international community, will use all the possibilities open to us to assist in the work of building peace and reconciliation in the region.