Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2006
131 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of recent developments, he remains as satisfied with the conduct of the trial of Saddam Hussein as expressed in his response to a Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 14 December 2005. [7009/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra145 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political and security situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6829/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 145 together.
The democratic elections which were held in Iraq on 15 December 2005 marked the start of the final phase in the political process for the reconstruction of Iraq, which was set out by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1546 of June 2004. The new parliament and government will be fully sovereign and mandated for a four-year term. The Government and our EU partners have strongly supported the political process. The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I attended in Brussels on 30 January, welcomed the conduct of the elections and the heavy turnout from all communities in Iraq. It noted that the results provide a clear working agenda for the new government to overcome divisions in the country.
Discussions are continuing between the parties in Iraq on the formation of a government, and they may yet take some time to conclude. The EU has encouraged the formation of a truly representative government with the broadest possible support in the Council of Representatives. One of the main political priorities will be to encourage representatives of the Sunni community to play their full part in the new political structures. The EU has reaffirmed its readiness to support the Iraqi people in broadening the consensus on the future of the country. This process will include a thorough and transparent review of the Constitution approved by referendum last year, which I hope will enable some of the concerns of the Sunni community to be met.
Unfortunately, the new Iraqi Government and parliament will face the grave challenge of combating the continuing brutal campaign of violence directed at the institutions of government and at innocent civilians, which is aimed at fomenting further violent divisions in Iraqi society. The violence continues to obstruct the reconstruction of Iraq's infrastructure, economy and public services. The Government and our EU partners are committed to maintaining support for the reconstruction process, and for the building of a secure, stable, unified and prosperous Iraq.
As I stated in December, I welcome the determination of the Iraqi authorities to ensure that former President Saddam Hussein, and his senior associates, face trial for the terrible crimes of which they have been accused. It is important that every effort be made to ensure that the trial meets international standards to the extent possible. I am aware of the continuing difficulties in the conduct of the legal proceedings, some of which were perhaps inevitable, given Iraq's recent history. I remain satisfied, however, that the Iraqi authorities are making every effort to conduct a trial in accordance with the law.
