Vol. 554 No. 5
492 Mr. M. Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the bombing of targets in Iraq by the United States of America and British forces, the EU plans to ensure that essential medical supplies are available to the Iraqi civilian population even in the event of an escalation of the conflict; if supplies for maternity and oncology treatment will be excluded from economic sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16585/02]
It is a matter of profound regret that the people of Iraq continue to suffer considerable hardship as a result of their Government's deliberate and persistent violation of successive UN Security Council resolutions aimed at preserving international peace and security.
Ireland has worked to ensure that UN sanctions are administered in such a way as to ensure that the humanitarian and long-term economic interests of the people of Iraq are secured, while ensuring that the necessary controls are in place to prevent Iraq from developing weapons of mass destruction. The provision of medical supplies is a particular priority among those humanitarian interests.
As a member of the Security Council, Ireland was active in developing Resolution 1409, which was adopted in May 2002 and seeks to target sanctions against the Iraqi regime while minimising the impact of those sanctions on the civilian population. In particular, the provisions of Resolution 1409 were intended to ensure that there would be continuing availability of medical supplies for the most vulnerable sectors of the Iraqi population, including mothers and children. Iraqi Government requests to purchase food and medicines under the Oil for Food programme are given priority. All such requests are examined by the Office of the Iraq Programme and, where they include items which appear on the Goods Review List, are referred to the appropriate UN Security Council Sanctions Committee, with the aim of ensuring that necessary humanitarian goods, including medical supplies, are available and that no materials are imported which could be used for weapons of mass destruction.
The Government will ensure that Ireland continues to be active on the UN Security Council and within the European Union in seeking to highlight the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people.
The fact remains, however, that the most effective way of easing the humanitarian situation of the Iraqi people and avoiding any escalation in the current situation would be for the Iraqi Government to act immediately to meet its obligation under the UN Charter by complying fully with the demands placed upon it by the Security Council.
