Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the threatened invasion of northern Iraq and the implications for the semi-autonomous region controlled by those aspiring to an independent Kurdistan. [30883/07]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current political situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29342/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 116 together.

At the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council which I attended in Brussels last week, we held a detailed discussion with the Iraqi Foreign Minister on the political and security situation in Iraq. We were encouraged by the substantial improvement in the security situation in recent months. It is clear that while there are still appalling incidents of violence, there has been a significant reduction in almost all areas. The most striking improvements have been in Baghdad and in the neighbouring province of Anbar, which is a largely Sunni area and was until recently one of the most dangerous in Iraq.

It is generally agreed that there a number of factors behind these positive developments. The increased US troop deployment, along with Iraqi forces, has resulted in a more focused security effort. Sunni forces which had previously supported the insurgency have cooperated to drive out elements linked to Al Qaeda, which brought terrible suffering upon the local population. The ceasefire by the main Shia militia has seriously reduced the level of sectarian killings. None of these factors is irreversible and the situation remains fragile. However, the Iraqi people have been given some hope and there is now an urgent need to grasp the opportunity which exists for political progress.

I have always argued that, while improved security is an essential requirement for progress, there are no security solutions to Iraq's complex problems. Lasting peace and stability can only be assured through a process of genuine political reconciliation between the communities in Iraq and the cooperation of all its regional neighbours. Regrettably, progress towards political reconciliation has continued to be very disappointing. The national unity Government of Prime Minister Al Maliki has appeared paralysed by disputes between the parties, and the key issues identified as the main requirements for closer involvement of the Sunni community in Government remain deadlocked. These are the review of the new Constitution, the easing of the exclusion of former Ba'ath Party members, and the question of redistribution of oil revenues. The Government and our EU partners have made it clear that Iraq's leaders must act urgently in the new security climate to achieve real progress in these crucial areas.

A new element of concern in recent months has been the dangerous prospect of a major Turkish military incursion, directed at the PKK militia which has been responsible for serious attacks in Turkey and which maintains some bases in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq. Such a development would have the potential to destabilise the one region of Iraq which has largely escaped the turmoil and violence since the invasion in 2003. The EU, the US and others have strongly urged Turkey not to launch military operations into Iraqi territory. The Council last week welcomed the dialogue now taking place between Iraq and Turkey and called on the Iraqi Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to ensure that their territory is not used for attacks on a neighbouring country.

The horrific violence of the past few years has forced large numbers of Iraqi families to flee their homes. There are now over two million refugees outside Iraq and a further two million internally displaced. Syria and Jordan have borne a particularly heavy burden. There have been encouraging reports that as many as 1,000 people a day have begun returning from Syrian refugee camps in the hope that the security situation may be stabilising, but the humanitarian needs are still enormous. Ireland is playing its part in helping address the crisis. On 16 November, the Government announced additional funding of €2.9 million for relief programmes in Iraq, Syria and Jordan, bringing the overall level of assistance for the Iraqi people to over €5 million this year.