Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the protocol governing the participation of representatives of this State in ceremonies celebrating soldiers from other countries. [11815/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Government should participate in ceremonies marking the home-coming of foreign troops returning from the brutal conflict in Iraq. [11814/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Government should offer support to or legitimise the actions of foreign soldiers returning from the brutal conflict in Iraq who are part of an army that is subject to an investigation for the slaughter of civilians. [11817/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Government should offer support to or legitimise the actions of soldiers returning from occupying Iraq. [11816/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Minister for Transport, Deputy Martin Cullen, was representing his Department at a wreath-laying ceremony in New York in March 2006, involving both US and Irish troops, in commemoration of the US 69th infantry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13185/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 76, 82, 125, and 282 together.

The Minister for Transport represented the Government at an extensive programme of events in New York over the St. Patrick's Day period. The 69th infantry battalion, the Fighting 69th, is the US army unit with the closest ties to Irish America and has led the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue for more than 150 years. The 69th has recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. This year's parade was dedicated to the regiment, and the regiment was also guest of honour at the St. Patrick's Day Mass celebrated by Cardinal Egan in St. Patrick's Cathedral.

As part of his programme, the Minister was invited to attend and speak at a public wreath-laying ceremony at the Father Duffy statue in Times Square. The ceremony was organised to commemorate the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who have served with the 69th. The battalion was formed by Irish immigrants in New York in 1851 and its battle flag was presented to the Irish nation by President Kennedy when he addressed the Houses of the Oireachtas in 1963. The flag is on permanent display in this building.

Given the historical links as well as the focus on the 69th at the St. Patrick's Day events in New York this year, the Minister's attendance at the wreath-laying was entirely appropriate. The Fighting 69th is held in affection and respect by Irish America and the Minister's attendance at the public ceremony was deeply appreciated by the community.

As regards the broader issue of the participation of Government representatives in ceremonies of this kind, this is decided on a case by case basis depending on specific circumstances.

With respect to the multinational forces currently serving in Iraq, I would point out that they are operating at the request of the Iraqi Government and under UN mandate. The presence of the multinational force in Iraq was authorised by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1511 of October 2003. This authorisation was reaffirmed in Resolution 1546 of June 2004, and was extended to the end of 2006 by Resolution 1637, which was adopted unanimously by the Security Council in November 2005.