Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I am looking forward to Senator Norris's explanation as to what radical Islamic fundamentalism is about. My clear understanding is that radical Islamic fundamentalism, which is totally removed from average Muslim thinking, is designed to bring an end to Western civilisation as we know it. Unfortunately, the current mix in Iraq of nationalists, supporters of the former regime and Islamic fundamentalists, is making the situation very difficult on the ground.

The House has debated Iraq on quite a few occasions. That tragedy is unfolding before our eyes every day, but we must not allow it to disappear from the political radar screen. We have a responsibility to play a role in ensuring the maximum level of support for the new Iraqi Government through our international obligations to the European Union and the United Nations. When the House discussed Iraq over the past two years, it was in the context of support through the provision of food and medical supplies. Those needs have not abated and still require attention.

The Minister of State should ensure that the Government does whatever it can at EU and UN level, using whatever resources are available, to bring some degree of solace to the people of Iraq until such time as they are entirely self-governing. The requisite solution will not be achieved until Iraq is policed by its own police force, defended by its own army and led by its own politicians. Slowly but surely there are positive moves in that direction but violence across the country must come to an end. We must have no truck with terrorism but, on the other hand, American forces, including the US army and political advisers, must examine the manner in which they are conducting security and political issues in Iraq.

We expect high standards from the United States and we cannot accept lower standards of human rights being afforded to the people of Iraq. Over the course of the next few months, the American authorities must take human rights seriously and put them on the level that we expect in a western European country. The best way to showcase democracy is to ensure people in Iraq enjoy the same level of peace, security and human rights as we do. We must argue strongly with our friends in the United States that they must change the human rights regime in Iraq as soon as possible.