Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish nationals currently in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39181/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of press reports indicating that there are a number of Irish nationals working in Iraq but the Department has no direct registration of Irish citizens working there. However, the British authorities have indicated that they are aware of the following numbers for the Basra area: 20 working for security companies; five working for DFID, the UK's overseas development Ministry; four working as civilian police officers; one working for the British Government. The Irish Embassy in Iraq was closed in advance of the Gulf War in 1991. Given the dangerous security situation there, the Department is advising strongly against all travel to Iraq.