Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Oct 2004

Vol. 590 No. 5

Kidnapping of Irish Citizen: Motion.

The Taoiseach

I move:

That Dáil Éireann:

—expresses its serious concern, and that of the Irish people, at the abduction of Mrs. Margaret Hassan in Baghdad yesterday;

—notes that Mrs. Hassan was born in Ireland and has spent the past 30 years in Iraq devoting herself to humanitarian work on behalf of the Iraqi people;

—calls for her immediate release and the release of all hostages in Iraq;

—condemns the practice of taking hostages for whatever purpose or cause; and

—welcomes the Government's commitment, which will have the full support of this House, to contribute in any way it can to secure the release of Mrs. Hassan.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter in the House today. As Deputies are aware, the activities of hostage-takers in Iraq have again brought great distress and anxiety to the family and friends of an Irish citizen. I know the House is unanimous in its support and concern for Margaret Hassan, her husband Tahseen Ali Hassan, her family in Ireland and all her relatives and many friends throughout the world.

I stress that information remains scarce on the circumstances of Margaret Hassan's kidnapping, her kidnappers and their motives. I address this issue today on the basis of details available at this time. The resolution before the House today is intended to make it as clear as possible that Ireland and its people are united in calling for Margaret's immediate and unconditional release.

The Government's position on hostage-taking in Iraq is clear and unequivocal. We regard such acts as completely unjustifiable and counter-productive. This view is shared by Islamic representatives who have made clear that no cause can justify harming the innocent. Such acts do not win support for a cause or open minds.

The Government has repeatedly called for an end to the practice of hostage-taking, not least because of the trauma and distress inflicted on hostages and their families. This was recently brought very close to home by the tragic case of Kenneth Bigley, an Irish citizen whose cruel murder shocked the world, including the people of Ireland. In debating this resolution today, our thoughts and prayers are also with Kenneth's family.

In the case of Margaret Hassan, a group has taken hostage a woman who has devoted the overwhelming part of her adult life to helping Iraq and its people, having herself become a citizen of that country. It has taken a woman whose life's work is an inspiration to us all and who, like many other Irish people, has lived in varied and different places abroad during her life.

It is worth reminding the House what Margaret and her team contribute to the most needy people of Iraq. She is the head of the Baghdad office of CARE International, where she and her 30 Iraqi staff work hard providing emergency relief, medical aid and assistance in restoring access to clean water. They focus particularly on children, who are the key to what we all hope will be a brighter future for Iraq.

CARE International is one of the world's largest independent global relief and development organisations. It is resolutely non-political and non-sectarian and it operates in more than 72 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and eastern Europe. CARE International supports projects that benefit almost 30 million people every year. Each of the CARE International offices is an independent non-profit organisation, contributing to and helping to manage more than 500 programmes around the world. This Government, through institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union, supports CARE International's programmes across the globe. Out of more than 10,000 employees, more than 9,000 are nationals of the countries where CARE International runs programmes. Margaret Hassan is a leading member of that group of 9,000, an Iraqi citizen working in an all-Iraqi office doing everything she can to help Iraqi people.

In placing this resolution before the House, I assure Deputies that the Government is doing everything it can to help secure her release. Our first task on hearing the news was to speak to her family. We immediately contacted her husband, Tahseen, in Iraq and some of her relatives here in Ireland. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was again in contact with them today, as he will shortly advise the House when he speaks.

For my part, I called last night for Margaret's immediate release. The Government's appeals have already received widespread international coverage, including in the Middle East. Both I, and my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, intend to use our international contacts in a way that will best bring Irish influence to bear. In this regard, we will listen closely to the views and advice of Margaret's husband and of CARE International. We are also liaising closely with our British counterparts in regard to their efforts on Margaret's behalf. We have been in contact with CARE International, whose good work has been interrupted by this deplorable act. Its experience and knowledge on the ground in Iraq, along with that of others, will be a most important guide for our current and future actions.

In doing all this, the Government's hand will be strengthened by the firm resolve of this House. I thank the House for both its suggestion and its co-operation. I conclude by quoting the Islamic Relief organisation, which yesterday called "for whoever is holding Margaret hostage to think of her family and the good work she is doing in Iraq, to release her as soon as possible and to let her carry on with her good work". In particular, the organisation said: "It's Ramadan — it's a time of peace and goodwill, and in this particularly holy month they must think of the family of Margaret and the people she is trying to help".

For reasons Deputies will appreciate, I do not intend to comment further on this sensitive issue, other than to reiterate the hope that Margaret will soon be reunited safely with her family. We must approach their plight, though public, in a sensitive manner that fully respects their privacy. They are at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers during these difficult days. I commend the resolution to the House.

Mr. Allen

I wish to share time with Deputy Jim O'Keeffe. In addressing the House on this sensitive situation words must be chosen carefully. The abduction of Margaret Hassan is an appalling crime, perpetrated against a woman who has always been a champion of some of the world's most disadvantaged people. In her work, Margaret has shown the strongest loyalty with the people of Iraq and the deepest commitment to helping them in every possible way. Her abduction, therefore, is condemned in Ireland, in Iraq and throughout the world.

Margaret Hassan has close family and friends in Ireland, Britain and Iraq. Our thoughts and prayers, and those of the Irish people, are with them at this time. The Irish Government should give every assistance towards securing Margaret's immediate release. I welcome the statement made by the Taoiseach this morning that the Government is in contact with the British Government and through it with the authorities in Iraq.

Margaret Hassan was born in Ireland and is an Irish citizen. She also holds British and Iraqi citizenship. She is married to an Iraqi national and has made Iraq her home, having lived in the country for 30 years. All of us must work together to secure her immediate release. In 1991 and again during the recent conflict, Margaret refused to leave the people who needed her help in Iraq. She remained in Baghdad when the bombs fell and refused any personal security when kidnappers began to target aid and humanitarian organisations, as well as other individuals and groups in more recent times. People who have met her have referred to her "stunning determination" to remain in Iraq and to continue the work to which she has devoted herself.

Margaret has steadfastly worked with the poorest people in Iraq. With CARE International she has assisted Iraqi men, women and children through the provision of health care programmes, the rebuilding of hospitals and the provision of water and sanitation services. It is a tragedy for the Iraqi people that Margaret's abduction now means that CARE International must obviously suspend its programmes in Iraq. By their actions, her captors are hurting the ordinary people of Iraq who need international assistance now more than ever.

CARE International is a global relief organisation that works in 72 of the world's poorest countries. Each year, it helps more than 30 million disadvantaged people, and it is people like Margaret Hassan who have dedicated themselves to this deeply important work. In Iraq, CARE International programmes have provided humanitarian assistance to more than 7 million people, more than one third of the population of the country. Margaret Hassan has been a consistent voice raised in support of the Iraqi people. In her work with CARE International, Margaret has ensured that combating Iraqi suffering is to the forefront of everything she does. She has worked with and addressed many international organisations such as the United Nations and charitable agencies such as Islamic Relief.

In January 2003, Margaret briefed Security Council members and United Nations agencies on the situation in Iraq. She told them of the malnutrition, the infant mortality and the day to day struggle that life in Iraq had become. She told them how half a million tonnes of raw sewage are daily discharged into watercourses due to the lack of sanitation services in the country, how chronic malnutrition in under fives has soared from 18.7% in 1991 to 30% in 2000 and how one third of all children in Iraq no longer attend school. Speaking at the United Nations, Margaret said: "We do what we can. Our greatest resource is the ability and commitment of our staff. But to achieve more, we need peace." Margaret's powerful and passionate advocacy for the people of Iraq underlines the despair that has surrounded her abduction.

Margaret Hassan has been a beacon of light for the people of Iraq. She has worked with them for many years, she has lived with them and she has spoken up for them. On behalf of Fine Gael, I reaffirm our absolute condemnation of the abduction of people in Iraq, for whatever reason, and call for the release of Margaret Hassan immediately. We also pledge our support to this House in any effort that can be brought forward to help secure her release. My thoughts and prayers, and those of Fine Gael, are with Margaret and her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

Mr. J. O’Keeffe

Kidnapping is a vile business, the kidnapping of a woman is even more vile but the kidnapping of a woman aid worker plumbs the depths of depravity. I am glad my colleague, Deputy Kenny, moved that we suspend the proceedings of the House to express our feelings and concerns about the abduction of Margaret Hassan and our hope, indeed demand, for her immediate release. I think I reflect the view of the country when I say that the kidnapping of Margaret Hassan has come as a huge shock, not only to the people of Ireland but throughout the world. In many ways, it is a detail that Margaret Hassan, formerly Fitzsimons, was born in Ireland as it is widely known she has lived in Iraq for over 30 years. She is fully integrated into Iraqi society and speaks the language with the fluency of a native. She has committed her life to helping others and, for the past 30 years, to helping the people of Iraq.

Such is her commitment to the people of Iraq that she travelled without protection or entourage. It was her decision to be an equal among the Iraqi people. Perhaps the greatest testament to her commitment to helping the people of Iraq was her decision to stay and continue her work after the war began. She put her own life and safety at risk in a real way for the people of Iraq.

The struggle of the Iraqi people is weakened by her captivity. Even in the short time of her absence, she has been badly missed. Her work in regard to health centres, emergency relief supplies for hospitals and access to clean water will be missed because of this terrible deed. I hope her absence will not be prolonged in any way. I am glad this House is joining together to demand her release.

I focused my opening remarks on the fact that not alone is she a woman, she is also an aid worker. We sometimes do not appreciate the efforts made on behalf of all by aid workers in troublespots throughout the world. It is not the first time aid workers have been abducted. During my time as Minister of State responsible for overseas aid, two Concern workers were abducted in Ethiopia and, fortunately, released unharmed. We know from recent reports that two Italian aid workers were abducted in Baghdad and, fortunately, also released.

We should bear in mind that as a result of international treaties developed over the years, diplomats have a protected status, even as between nations at war. Taking into account recent abductions and the crisis concerning Margaret Hassan, we should consider developing an international convention under the auspices of the United Nations to provide for the protected status of aid workers. That protection would not be provided by guns, armoured personnel carriers or bullet-proof vests but by international protocol, equivalent to the status enjoyed by the workers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent throughout the world. Eventually, I would like all members of the United Nations to sign up to a covenant to bring to justice anybody involved in violence towards or the abduction of an aid worker. It is a serious proposal for consideration by the Government that we should begin and develop a campaign for such a convention.

The House speaks with a united voice in support of the position of Margaret Hassan. We want her released. It is clear that she had a great love for the Iraqi people and their nation. To all intents and purposes, Margaret Hassan is an Iraqi. Her captors have taken one of their own. The united message must go out loud and clear from this House to release her now.

Mr. M. Higgins

I am glad to have the opportunity to participate in this common position calling for the speedy release of Margaret Hassan. It is important what we say and do in the coming days respects her husband in Baghdad, her family here and in particular the strategic advice of CARE International in Iraq. I say that and suggest that this matter be handled with sensitivity because it is the view of the family, with whom I spoke several times yesterday and today. When this matter was discussed in the House of Commons, a statement shortly afterwards suggested that the family would not be issuing statements or giving long interviews, that they wished to see what could be achieved as locally as possible and in as short a time as possible, and that they should be allowed to do that. It is a view to which I entirely subscribe.

I met Margaret Hassan on 27 January 2003 on the occasion of my third and last visit to Iraq, just before the war. Our meeting was on a Sunday and it was a mark of her commitment to the CARE organisation that she came specially to meet an Irish delegation of which I was a part. At that time, the main concern was that if there was a war, which we had been desperately seeking to avert, the food programme, which was distributed through a ration system, would become unavailable to ordinary Iraqis. The system was that one went with one's ration book to what was effectively the local shop. If this was not possible due to conditions of war, what were people to do to supply themselves with basic nutrition? This was one of Mrs. Hassan's concerns.

Another matter we discussed with Mrs. Hassan and her colleagues in CARE was the issue of water supply maintenance and the quality of water supply. She was well informed and had a sophisticated view on the matter, including in technical terms. For example, many people were of the view that one was talking about supplying water to a country that did not have it. The reality is that up to 1991, sophisticated, in some cases electrically controlled, water purification systems were in place but were destroyed by the bombing. It is important to bear in mind that, morally, this appalling event is taking place in an abyss created by an illegal war.

In arriving at a common position, it is important for us to understand the specificity of Mrs. Hassan's position. Having spent 30 years in Iraq, effectively enjoying the citizenship of three countries — Ireland, Britain and Iraq — and being married to an Iraqi citizen, there is also another dimension in that her husband's father is a doctor who trained in Ireland and has experience here. The Irish-Iraqi dimension to her position is a deep one.

Margaret Hassan is different from others in that the two organisations that stayed with the Iraqi people through the very worst of times were UNICEF and CARE. CARE, because of the nature of its personnel and expertise, contains a large number of engineers and concentrates therefore on the restoration of basic hospital equipment, basic facilities to supply clean water and so forth. Margaret Hassan is terribly important to Iraq in the worst of times. For anybody in Iraq to delay her work, not to speak of putting her in danger, is equivalent to a deep, self-inflicted wound on the most vulnerable people in Iraq. Given that food security and therapeutic nutrition are significant aspects of CARE's work, this action was directed against the most vulnerable children in Iraq and especially against women.

I recall the detailed report on leukaemia which arose from the availability of depleted uranium in southern Iraq. Again, CARE, under Margaret's direction, prepared very detailed work on that. I cannot understand how a single cause could possibly be helped by delaying her work, not to speak of detaining her. It is my hope that in the short term such information as becomes available through the 60 odd CARE workers and the thousands who have been dependent on CARE's initiative will create a network of communication such as will allow her to return to her work and to her family as quickly as possible.

Equally, it is important for us to bear in mind that this is a time for us to make an appeal to reason on the part of the people who are involved. There is now a plethora of groups in Iraq involved in hostage taking, which I and others have condemned. However, it is very important for us to stress the seriousness of Margaret Hassan's work and also the seriousness of the removal of CARE's operation from Iraq. The removal of CARE's operation from Iraq will place millions of children at risk. CARE was there before Margaret Hassan took over as country director. Throughout the period of the war it was a model in establishing the integrity of the relief operation. For example, it became very difficult for CARE after the invasion during which the occupying forces sought to incorporate some of the relief agencies into their work as the kind of people who came behind and swept up the consequences. Both CARE and UNICEF were distinguished by keeping their distance and insisting on the integrity of their own operations. The slightest suggestion, therefore, that Margaret Hassan is in any way associated with any other political agenda in the country is entirely wrong. CARE was there to offer an expertise that has been gathered from around the world. Margaret Hassan is probably one of the highest ranking relief workers and administrators from Ireland of whom we are justly proud. It is right, therefore, for us to stress the Irish-Iraqi background of both herself and her husband. It is also very important for us to simply say we hope that, instead of having to go through a long process of initiating networks, which I am very pleased the Minister for Foreign Affairs has suggested will happen should it be necessary and which I certainly would support, she will be released in the short term because the great loss to the Iraqi people is so glaringly obvious.

There is nothing to be gained at this time from using this case to make any kind of case for the bigger political project that is involved in the occupation of Iraq. Iraq is an abyss. When I was there in January 2003 there was every evidence from serious meetings we had with some of the most senior ranking people, including Tariq Aziz, that the diplomatic process had not been completed. International monitors would have been welcome on every aspect, including the issue of weapons and the issue of human rights where Amnesty International had been invited back. I could go on, but that is not my concern this afternoon. My concern this afternoon is to insist that we operate with extraordinary delicacy in respecting the wishes of the family and those who are seeking to work on the ground in the short term and wait to see how much can be achieved, I hope, very quickly. However, if we must take other measures such as the measures the Government would take, that would have my support. The processes I would myself initiate will also be available. Our thoughts are with Margaret Hassan's family who are going through such a distressing time. I hope they will be respected, particularly their wish not to be asked to give further long statements and to have time to consider, through consultation with relations in England and Baghdad, what measures they might take in the short term.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ba mhaith liom am a roinnt leis na Teachtaí Finian McGrath, Connolly agus Gormley.

Tá tromlach shaoránaigh na hÉireann i gcoinne na seilbhe a ghlac Sasana agus na Stáit Aontaithe ar an Iaráic agus i gcoinne an chogaidh a thosaigh siad agus atá ar siúl sa tír sin ó shin. Labhair duine de shaoránaigh na hÉireann, Margaret Hassan, amach faoin chogadh mídhleathach seo, agus i gcoinne na seilbhe a ghlac Rialtais Shasana agus na Stát Aontaithe ar an Iaráic agus ar thodhchaí na tíre sin. Tá an cogadh sin mícheart, chomh maith le gach aon ghníomh a chuidíonn leis. Tá sé mícheart go huile is go hiomlán gur fuadaíodh Margaret Hassan agus na daoine eile atá fuadaithe ag grúpaí éagsúla san Iaráic ó thosaigh an cogadh ansin. Tá roinnt acu sin marfa ó thús na coimhlinte.

Mar a dúirt mé, tá sé go hiomlán mícheart, agus ba chóir an cleachtas sin a stopadh anois láithreach. Ní chuidíonn sé le grúpa nó cúis ar bith. Is bean chróga í Margaret, a labhair amach. Chomh maith leis sin, chuidigh sí leo siúd a bhí thíos de bharr na coimhlinte agus í ag obair le CARE International. Impím ar an ghrúpa atá tar éis í a fhuadach í a scaoileadh saor. Impím ar na grúpaí ar fad a bhfuil daoine fuadaithe acu iad a shaoradh láithreach. Mar a dúirt mé, ní chuidíonn sé, agus ní chuireann sé leis an chás atá acu — má tá cás acu in aon chor i roinnt cásanna.

Tá Margaret bainteach le traidisiún fada d'oibrithe Éireannacha a thaistil agus a thaistlíonn an domhan chun cuidiú le daoine i gcruachás, agus a oibríonn leo sin ar mheon neodrach. Ní ghlacann siad taobh sna coimhlintí, ach déanann siad an obair charthanach atá ag teastáil agus ar gá a dhéanamh sna tíortha sin. Is trua é go bhfuil ionsaí á dhéanamh ar an obair charthanach sin faoi láthair.

Impím ar an Rialtas, mar a deir an rún os ár gcomhair, gach uile rud a dhéanamh ar féidir leis a dhéanamh chun Margaret Hassan a shaoradh agus, ina measc sin, labhairt le hambasadóirí na dtíortha Arabacha ar fad agus iarraidh orthu siúd cuidiú linn sa chás seo ach go háirithe le nach mbeidh deireadh tragóideach an babhta seo mar a bhí i gcás saoránaigh Éireannaigh eile, Kenneth Bigley. Tá clann Hassan agus clann Bigley inár dtuairimí inniu sa díospóireacht seo, agus tá súil againn ach go háirithe go mbeidh Margaret saor roimh i bhfad le taisteal ins an Iaráic nó pé áit ar domhan a bhfuil sí sásta leanúint ar aghaidh leis an obair charthanach a dhein sí go dtí seo.

Mr. F. McGrath

On behalf of the Independent Deputies I wish to support the motion before the House, express our concern and our deepest sympathy to the family of Margaret Hassan, and demand her immediate release. We have seen the nightmare her family have been through over the past few days. Many who have in the past met other kidnap or hostage victims — I refer particularly to people such as Brian Keenan, the Concern workers and many others — know from first-hand experience the trauma of their families. The Independent Deputies strongly support the motion and urge the immediate release of Margaret Hassan.

I also welcome the unanimity of the House. This is a cross-party issue. Irrespective of party allegiances and differences, this is a humanitarian issue and it is refreshing that all Members of the House support this motion.

Margaret Hassan is a CARE worker involved in the work of caring for people and in humanitarian issues involving the provision of water, education, health services and medicine for people in the front line. We also know that Margaret was strongly opposed to war. She was very much on the side of the victims of war. Margaret Hassan is not selective but is always on the side of the men and women of no property. She was particularly on the side of the 20,000 innocent civilians killed in the Iraqi conflict. She is a voice to the voiceless. I extend my sympathy to her and her family during this difficult time.

The organisation with which she is involved, CARE International, is one of the largest independent global relief and development organisations. This non-political and non-sectarian organisation is not a front for any right-wing or extremist groups. It operates in 72 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, directly assisting more than 30 million people. The House must commend this amazing record for a non-profit organisation. While the organisation employs 10,000 people from different nationalities, it has one agreed agenda on the international stage: to help the most needy. While living in Iraq for 30 years, Margaret Hassan's work was based on compassion and aid to the needy.

This motion does not just address her plight but calls for the immediate release of all other hostages in Iraq. While we are focused on Margaret Hassan today, we must never forget the other innocent victims for whom no one is crying out. While I am often critical of the Government, I commend it for taking the right decisions on this occasion and during the plight of Mr. Kenneth Bigley. I commend the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, and the Taoiseach for their efforts. The Government's welcome commitment has the full support of all Members of the Oireachtas. I demand the immediate release of Margaret Hassan.

Mr. Connolly

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and am delighted by the unanimity of the House. I add my voice to the calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Margaret Hassan. It only adds to the insanity of kidnapping that she is an aid worker and director of CARE International. In Iraq she has continually championed the cause of children suffering neglect due to the lack of medical supplies. She has taken risks, cajoling lorry drivers to bring medical supplies there. This makes the crime of her kidnapping all the more revolting and reprehensible.

Her nature makes me believe that her first words to her kidnappers were "Can I be of any help to you?". At a time like this, we all look for hope. I find hope in her being Irish and a woman. Our nation is known as a non-warring one and it is internationally recognised that we greatly contribute to peace through peace missions. I also find hope in the fact that since April, nine women have been released. Deputy Michael D. Higgins called for sensitivity in what is said due to the delicacy of the negotiations that will proceed. I abhor the comments of a comedian who saw the opportunity for cheap publicity during the Bigley trauma. If people like that cannot contribute positively, the least they can do in a real life situation such as this is to stay quiet and not treat it as an opportunity for publicity. I hope the Government's calls and the fact that Margaret Hassan is a woman and an Irish citizen will be taken into account by her kidnappers and she will be released.

The body of Kenneth Bigley has still not been released. It is an opportune time to call for information as to where his body can be found.

Mr. Boyle

By birthright and family background, Margaret Hassan is Irish. However, by her life choices and working commitment, she is also Iraqi. By the very nature of Irishness, many of our citizens have gone to far flung places, living with and acquiring other nationalities. We must remember there are Irish people in other parts of the world who may sometime need our assistance.

Margaret Hassan has lived and worked in Iraq for 30 years, engaged in humanitarian work. As a care worker, Iraqi and a woman, the circumstances of her abduction are reprehensible not just to people in this country but throughout the Muslim world. The Government must send a clear signal that her situation is utterly unacceptable, as is that of all other abducted people.

However, we must be honest and admit that the difficult situation pertaining in Iraq exists because some people believe they must engage in this reprehensible behaviour due to the breakdown of government, even if the previous one was a dictatorship. There is a need for more wide-ranging political dialogue, decision-making and leadership that will prevent this morass becoming an every day nightmare for the people of Iraq. While Margaret Hassan is living in fear of her life, Kenneth Bigley lost his and many others are in similar situations, a similar argument can be made that a kind of collective abduction exists for the 25 million Iraqi people. I fear that this will continue with other unfortunate victims.

I hope the Government sends a clear signal of the unanimity of the House on Margaret Hassan's situation. It must also bring whatever political pressure it can on the political situation in Iraq. If its society is to be normalised, these events must cease to be an everyday occurrence. There are people who must take responsibility for this. Those who conducted this kidnapping cannot be speaking for any nationalism or religion, as it has occurred on the eve of Ramadan, a sacred time for Muslims. There are also people engaged in violence in the pursuit of political aims who look away from nationalism, religious and moral codes. If we as an independent nation are to ensure the protection of our citizens from a plight such as Margaret Hassan's, we must be clear and consistent in our political and moral message. I hope today's statements will translate what for now amounts to moral support into a practical support that will see the immediate release of Margaret Hassan and others in a similar plight.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I welcome the strong and unanimous support for this resolution by Members on all sides of the House. This is a dreadful time for the family, friends and colleagues of Margaret Hassan. The Government views all acts of kidnapping and hostage-taking as deplorable and unjustifiable. In this case, it is appalling when the victim of such a crime is a dedicated provider of humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, who have suffered so much in recent years from war and deprivation. Margaret Hassan has devoted her life to helping others. She ran a valuable humanitarian programme for CARE International which benefited thousands of Iraqis. Her abduction highlights the enormous dangers facing those who engage in providing humanitarian services in Iraq and other parts of the world.

I pay tribute to those who continue to serve the Iraqi people, especially the many Iraqis working for humanitarian agencies there, who risk their lives on a daily basis. I greatly regret that in recent conflicts we have witnessed an erosion of respect for humanitarian personnel. This incident is yet another episode in the disturbing pattern of attacks on UN, Red Cross-Red Crescent and NGO humanitarian workers in recent times.

During my discussions last week with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, he stated that this was one of the issues at the top of his agenda. He wants to get UN personnel back into Iraq but with proper security to guarantee their safety, given that there were some dreadful attacks on UN personnel in Iraq. These appalling attacks highlight the need for greater respect for human life and dignity, as well as for international humanitarian law and the core principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence which are currently under significant threat.

Since we became aware of Margaret's abduction yesterday, my officials and I have been in ongoing contact with her immediate family to assure them we will do whatever we can to help in securing her safe return. Earlier this afternoon, I spoke with Margaret's husband in Baghdad and conveyed to him the concern and solidarity of the Government, this House and the people of Ireland. My officials spoke with him on a number of occasions yesterday. He spent the past hours endeavouring to use his contacts in that area to try to get her released. He was deeply appreciative of our support, which he emphasised was extremely important to him and the family. I informed him that the Houses of the Oireachtas would hold a special debate on this matter. He particularly asked that family members resident in Ireland would receive all our support, which I guaranteed.

We have also been in direct contact with the chief executive of CARE International and fully reviewed the situation with him. We will continue to stay in contact with that organisation and with the family. I concur with Deputy Michael D. Higgins's point regarding the contacts CARE International has on the ground. I believe they will be vital in securing Margaret's release.

All our actions will be guided by the experience and advice of those on the ground in Iraq, who are best placed to tell us how and when we can be of further help. I informed her husband, her family in Ireland and her friends that whatever assistance we can give will be available to them. In the meantime we are staying in contact with our embassy staff in the region and, in particular, the ambassador.

At this stage, we do not know the identity or the purpose of the abductors. Whoever they are, I appeal to them again to set Margaret free. Her abduction can serve no purpose whatsoever. On the contrary, it threatens to disrupt the work of the humanitarian agencies and the assistance they give to Iraqi people. It will directly harm thousands of ordinary Iraqis who benefit from their activities and programmes.

As I stated, I spoke with Margaret's husband and family, and with a close friend who has worked with her over many years, and assured them of our determination to do everything we can to help. I have designated a senior official in my Department to be with the family and to act as a liaison support officer for them.

My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, is providing support through the Garda Síochána. At this very difficult time for Margaret's family, I make a special appeal that their privacy be respected. This was one of the issues that came up in the course of my discussions with her family in Ireland. It is hard enough for them to come to terms with what has happened and the invasion of their privacy is adding to their upset. They very much appreciate that all the country is behind them.

As I said at the outset, I welcome the contributions of Members from all sides of the House to this debate and thank them for their support. On an occasion like this, the unanimous support of the Dáil, reflecting as it does the voice and spirit of the whole country, strengthens the efforts to secure Margaret Hassan's release. I commend this resolution to the House.

Question put and agreed to.