Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 3

Written Answers. - Irish Nationals in Iraq.

Peter Barry

Question:

72 Mr. Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts, if any, we have with Iraq; if Irish nationals are working in that country; if he will make a statement concerning UN sanctions applying to Iraq; and whether these sanctions have the full support of this country.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Embassy in Baghdad has been closed since the outbreak of hostilities in January 1991 and contacts with Iraq since then have been infrequent.

There is no accurate means of knowing how many Irish nationals might be working in Iraq but the numbers are likely to be very small.

Sanctions imposed on Iraq by the UN Security Council will remain in force until Iraq complies with its obligations. These obligations in the main require Iraq to abide fully by the ceasefire established in 1991, to respect fully its border with Kuwait and to make full disclosure of its programmes for the development of weapons of mass destruction.

The sanctions prevent imports from, and exports to, Iraq but exceptions are made in the case of foodstuffs, medicines and materials and supplies for other essential needs.

Iraq's capacity to meet these needs and to purchase food and medicine is assisted by the Security Council's provision that Iraq may sell petroleum products to the value of 1.6 billion dollars, a sum which would be paid into a UN account and which would serve principally to meet the costs of those essential purchases. Regrettably Iraq has refused to avail itself of that option and the opportunity thereby provided to ease the situation of its civilian population.

The Security Council held informal consultations on 29 March in order to review sanctions against Iraq. It reaffirmed them without modification. The Government fully supports the implementation of sanctions against Iraq until it complies with its obligations pursuant to the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.