Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent Senate Committee hearings in the United States dealing with the abuses of Iraqi oil resources in the early days of the occupation of that country. [18485/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the hearings in the United States Senate, and of allegations made concerning misuse of Iraqi oil resources both under the former Iraqi regime, and in the early months of the occupation of Iraq after March 2003.

It is not clear yet if these hearings will result in any findings, or to what extent the allegations made will be substantiated. It would clearly be a matter of serious concern if funds intended to meet the needs of the Iraqi people had been diverted for other purposes, regardless of whether this took place before or after the overthrow of the previous Iraqi regime.