John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Iraq, especially in view of the recent adoption of the new constitution of Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33293/05]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the correspondence he has had with the International Committee of the Red Cross on prisoners in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33492/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions 45 and 80 together.

The situation in Iraq so far this year has been characterised by real progress in the political reconstruction of the country. This has, unfortunately, been accompanied by a continuing campaign of serious violence, aimed principally at the new Iraqi Government and its officials, and also at ordinary Iraqi civilians. The violence continues to hamper the restoration of effective administration in Iraq, and the process of physical and economic reconstruction.

The new constitution of Iraq was approved in a national referendum on 15 October. Some 63% of the electorate turned out to vote. The Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq has reported that, overall, 79% voted in favour of adoption and 21% against. Fresh elections for a fully sovereign Iraqi assembly and government will be organised under the constitution, on 15 December. In principle, this will represent the completion of the process of political reconstruction set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1546 of June 2004.

While the constitution was approved democratically by the Iraqi people, it is clear that the minority Sunni community voted heavily against it, although not in sufficient numbers to trigger the blocking mechanism of a two thirds negative vote in three provinces. The result highlights the continuing divisions in Iraqi society, which the new authorities must continue to work to overcome. In a positive development, however, the parties representing the Sunni community have decided to contest the December election. It is important that provision has been made for a short period of review for the new constitution, once the new assembly has been elected, in order to allow for attempts to address Sunni concerns.

Despite the political progress, the level of violence in Iraq continues to be a cause of grave concern. There are frequent attacks on Iraqi officials and security forces, designed to prevent the Iraqi Government establishing effective administration and public services. Attacks are also regularly perpetrated against civilians from all communities, with the aim of causing maximum loss of life, and of fomenting division and provoking retaliation and civil strife.

The Government, and our EU partners, will continue to support the Iraqi people as they work to rebuild their country after decades of dictatorship and war. The EU will maintain its assistance to the Iraqi authorities. This will include important assistance in organising the December elections and both technical and financial assistance for reconstructing the administration and economy of Iraq.

My Department has maintained regular contact on Iraq with the International Committee of the Red Cross, principally through our permanent mission in Geneva. The issues involved include the welfare of civilians caught up in zones of conflict in Iraq and the conditions of detention of prisoners in Iraq.