Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

The Government and the wider international community, believe that there should be no delay in creating the circumstances under which the Iraqi authorities can take full responsibility for security in their country. The current situation is that the presence of the multinational force in Iraq has been authorised by the UN Security Council through Resolution 1,511 of October 2003, and Resolution 1,546 of June 2004. The mandate was further extended by the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution 1,637, on 8 November last. The multinational force is legally present in Iraq, under UN mandate, and at the request of the Iraqi Government. Whether we like it or not, it is clear that the Iraqi authorities do not yet feel they are ready to ask for the immediate withdrawal of international troops. A week ago, President Talibani stated that all Iraqis looked forward to the departure of foreign troops and that he hoped for the start of a phased withdrawal before the end of 2006. That is positive and we hope that everything goes well. He also stated that withdrawing now would be a catastrophe and would lead to civil war in Iraq.

This is the context for the continuing presence of US forces in Iraq. In March 2003, the Dáil approved the Government's decision to continue the long-standing practice of allowing the use of Shannon by US aircraft. The use of Shannon continues to be in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, which include the request that members of the United Nations contribute assistance to the multinational force, including military forces.

Separately, and not directly related to the situation in Iraq, the Government has made it clear that it does not and would not permit the use of any Irish airport for the transport of prisoners without due process of law — a practice which has become known as "extraordinary rendition". Concerns raised about this issue, including by Members of the Oireachtas, have been raised regularly with the US authorities. They have given express assurances to the Government that Irish airports have not been and are not being used for this purpose.