Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the extent to which Ireland will participate in the European Union integrated rule of law mission for Iraq. [19127/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The EU integrated rule of law mission for Iraq — EUJUST LEX — was established by a Council joint action in March 2005 and aims to address the urgent requirements in the Iraqi criminal justice system through providing training for high and mid-level officials in senior management and criminal investigation. The aim of the training is to improve the capacity, co-ordination and collaboration of the different components of the Iraqi criminal justice system, including the Iraqi police. A planning and co-ordination team for the mission, based in Brussels, has been established and the training courses which will be of three to four week duration and will take place in a number of different EU countries are due to commence in July 2005.

Twenty of the 25 EU member states contribute to the mission, either through hosting training courses, providing trainers and-or members of the planning and co-ordination team or providing financial assistance. The question of Ireland's participation in the mission is under active consideration.