Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
33 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the position of the Government with regard to the recent United Nations resolution on Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18781/04]
View answer60 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the United Nations Security Council will be able to bring forward a resolution to set out clearly the road to Iraqi sovereignty before the hand-over to a caretaker Government at the end of June 2004; his further views on whether the US Government will insist it retains its grip on decision-making through US-appointed committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18839/04]
View answer68 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Irish Government’s approach to the recent UN Security Council resolution on Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18854/04]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 33, 60 and 68 together.
Resolution 1546 on Iraq was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 8 June 2004. The resolution endorses the formation of a sovereign interim government which will assume full responsibility and authority by 30 June for governing Iraq. It welcomes the ending of the occupation by that date and the reassertion by Iraq of its full sovereignty. It reaffirms the right of the Iraqi people to determine their political future and to control their financial and natural resources. The resolution endorses the proposed timetable for Iraq's political transition to democratic government, spells out the role of the United Nations and reaffirms the authorisation for a multinational force, which is the subject of an exchange of letters.
Ireland, nationally and as Presidency of the European Union, welcomed the adoption of Resolution 1546 on Iraq by the Security Council. The unanimous adoption of the resolution conveys the support of the international community for the transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi Government. This broad international support will help to stabilise the situation in Iraq. In particular, I hope it will mark a new and successful stage with the UN playing a key role in the process of political and economic reconstruction in Iraq.
The interim Iraqi Government was appointed on 1 June 2004. The Iraqi Governing Council has now disbanded and full sovereignty is due to be transferred to the interim Government on 30 June in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1546. No provision is made for US-appointed committees. I welcome the formation of a new interim Iraqi Government and wish it every success in governing Iraq to the point at which free and fair elections can take place.
