Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
333 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the British allegedly tried to rig intelligence reports of Iraq’s weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21366/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of conflicting views of the intelligence reports on Iraq's weapons, and I am also aware, and have noted the conclusions of the Butler report on that issue which was published on 14 July 2004. In respect of the policy of the Irish Government, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No.111 on 8 July 2004, in which I made a full statement on this issue. In particular I would state, as I did in that reply, that the contents of the British Government's published intelligence dossiers had no bearing on the Irish Government's position in relation to the threat posed by Iraq, or on Ireland's behaviour as a member of the United Nations Security Council. The Government did not rely on UK or US intelligence sources in arriving at its position.
