Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 32: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the Iraqi authorities and the US Ambassador regarding the recent attacks on unarmed political refugees in Ashraf, Iraq, who had been identified as protected persons under the Geneva Convention. [8018/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am deeply concerned at recent reports of the use of force against Camp Ashraf residents in Iraq and the resulting loss of life. I fully support the statement on 9 April by EU High Representative Ashton condemning the recent violence in Camp Ashraf, and particularly her renewal of the EU's repeated call on the Iraqi government to refrain from the use of violence and to show full respect for the human rights of Camp Ashraf's residents. As you will be aware, Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Iraq. However, EU representatives met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 4 April and conveyed this message directly to the Prime Minister on that occasion.

While there are no easy remedies to the situation in Camp Ashraf, force is not the answer. Iraq's sovereignty should be respected over the entire territory of Iraq, including in Camp Ashraf, but the human rights of residents of Camp Ashraf must be respected too. In seeking a solution, Ireland and its EU partners will continue to call upon the Iraqi government to grant access to independent international observers, to show restraint and to seek a peaceful and sustainable solution. We will continue to work with international partners, including the US, with a view to resolving the situation in Camp Ashraf.