Vol. 566 No. 1
264 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position in relation to the implementation of Resolution 1441 of the Security Council of the UN of November 2002; and the Government's views on the role of Hans Blix and the UN inspection team on the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. [11806/03]
Resolution 1441 provided for the return of the weapons inspection teams to Iraq, which took place in November 2002. The inspection mission is at present in abeyance as a result of the decision by the United States and others to resort to the use of military force in Iraq. However, the resolution remains valid and the work of the weapons inspectors remains to be completed. It is for the Security Council to decide how best to address the issues remaining within the remit of Resolution 1441. The Government believes that it would be in the best interests of all if the weapons inspectors were to complete their mission.
