The use of Shannon airport by the US military is a long-standing practice which has been in place for several decades. On 20 March 2003, following an extensive debate, the Government decision to maintain the availability of these facilities was approved by Dáil Éireann. The US forces serving in Iraq are part of the multinational force operating at the request of the interim Iraqi Government. The presence of the multinational force in Iraq was authorised by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1511 of 16 October 2003. This authorisation has been reaffirmed in Resolution 1546 of 8 June 2004. I expect the multinational force and the interim Iraqi Government operating in Falluja to do whatever is possible to allow the humanitarian needs of the people of Falluja to be addressed.