Dáil Éireann Order Paper: Business Paper 20 March 2003

1. “Go ndéanann Dáil Éireann, á thabhairt dá haire nach fada go mbeidh gníomh míleata á ghlacadh ag comhghuaillíocht faoi cheannas na Stát Aontaithe i gcoinne na hIaráice:		That Dáil Éireann noting the imminence of military action by a United States led coalition against Iraq:

— A athdhearbhú go bhfuil Éire tiomanta do na Náisiúin Aontaithe mar ráthóir na comhshlándála domhanda agus mar an fóram cuí chun díospóidí a réiteach a bhagraíonn ar shíocháin agus ar shlándáil idirnáisiúnta;		— Reaffirms Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations as the guarantor of collective global security and as the appropriate forum for the resolution of disputes threatening international peace and security;

— Cáineadh ar dhiúltú leanúnach Rialtas na hIaráice thar thréimhse 12 bhliain déanamh de réir a oibleagáide chun dí-armáil a dhéanamh mar atá leagtha síos le Rúin iomadúla ó Chomhairle Slándála na Náisiún Aontaithe, arb é an ceann is déanaí díobh ná Rún 1441;		— Condemns the continued refusal of the Government of Iraq over a period of 12 years to comply with its obligation to disarm as imposed by numerous Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, most recently in Resolution 1441;

— A mheabhrú gur breithníodh le Rún 1441 go raibh sárú ábhartha déanta ag an Iaráic ar a hoibleagáidí faoi rúin iomchuí, gur tugadh deis dheireanach leis don Iaráic déanamh de réir na n-oibleagáidí sin agus gur meabhraíodh leis rabhaidh na Comhairle Slándála arís agus arís eile go mbeadh iarmhairtí tromchúiseacha ann don Iaráic mar gheall ar na sáruithe leanúnacha a bhí á ndéanamh aici ar a hoibleagáidí;		— Recalls that Resolution 1441 found Iraq in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions, afforded Iraq a final opportunity to comply with these obligations, and recalled the Security Council’s repeated warnings that Iraq would face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations;

— A chur in iúl go bhfuil aiféaltas mór uirthi nár éirigh le hiarrachtaí laistigh den Chomhairle Slándála comhaontú a bhaint amach ar conas aghaidh a thabhairt ar neamhchomhlíonadh ar thaobh na hIaráice;		— Expresses its deep regret that efforts within the Security Council to reach agreement on how to address the question of Iraqi non-compliance have failed;

— A mheabhrú go ndearna Éire ráiteas mar chomhalta den Chomhairle Slándála tráth glactha Rún 1441 á rá gur faoin gComhairle Slándála a bheadh sé cinneadh a dhéanamh ar aon ghníomh a dhéanfaí ina dhiaidh sin i gcás tuilleadh neamhchomhlíonadh ar thaobh na hIaráice;		— Recalls Ireland’s statement as a member of the Security Council on the adoption of Resolution 1441 that it would be for the Security Council to decide on any ensuing action in the event of further Iraqi non-compliance;

— A chur in iúl gur ábhar aiféaltais di go measann an chomhghuaillíocht gur gá an feachtas a thosú in éagmais comhaontaithe ar rún eile, d’ainneoin go n-éilíonn an chomhghuaillíocht go bhfuil sí ag gníomhú ar bhonn sainordaithe láithrigh ón gComhairle Slándála;		— Regrets that the coalition finds it necessary to launch the campaign in the absence of agreement on a further resolution, notwithstanding the claims of the coalition to be acting on the basis of an existing Security Council mandate;

— Tacú le cinneadh an Rialtais nach mbeidh Éire páirteach sa ghníomh míleata atá beartaithe ag an gcomhghuaillíocht a ghlacadh i gcoinne na hIaráice;		— Endorses the decision of the Government that Ireland will not participate in the coalition’s proposed military action against Iraq;

— A chur in iúl go bhfuil sí ag súil go mór nach mairfidh gníomh míleata, má tharlaíonn sé, i bhfad agus go gcaillfear a laghad daoine, agus go ndéanfar a laghad léirscrios, agus is féidir;		— Expresses its earnest hope that military action, should it occur, will be of short duration and that loss of life and destruction will be kept to a minimum;

— A dhearbhú go bhfuil sí tiomanta do cheannasacht, do neamhspleáchas agus do shláine chríche na hIaráice;		— Declares its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq;

— A iarraidh ar na páirtithe go léir in aon choinbhleacht urraim a thabhairt d’fhorálacha an dlí daonchairdis idirnáisiúnta, go háirithe Coinbhinsiúin na Ginéive;		— Calls on all parties to any conflict to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law, in particular, the Geneva Conventions;

— Fáilte a chur roimh rún sonraithe na comhghuaillíochta gníomhú go pras chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar riachtanais bia agus daonchairdis mhuintir na hIaráice;		— Welcomes the stated intention of the coalition to act swiftly to address the food and humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people;

— Fáilte a chur roimh na socruithe atá curtha ar bun ag an Rialtas chun a chinntiú go mbeidh Éire in ann cuidiú go gasta leis an obair daonchairdis san Iaráic;		— Welcomes the arrangements put in place by the Government to ensure that Ireland will be able to contribute rapidly to the humanitarian effort in Iraq;

— A iarraidh ar na Náisiúin Aontaithe ról lárnach a ghlacadh chun riachtanais daonchairdis mhuintir na hIaráice agus atógáil na hIaráice a áirithiú, ar nithe iad a nglacfaidh Éire páirt iomlán iontu;		— Calls on the United Nations to assume a central role in securing the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people and the reconstruction of Iraq in which Ireland will play its full part;

— A mheabhrú go bhfuil socruithe ann le fada an lá maidir le traseitilt aerárthaí míleata agus sibhialta na Stát Aontaithe agus maidir lena dtuirlingt in Éirinn; agus		— Recalls the longstanding arrangements for the overflight and landing in Ireland of US military and civilian aircraft; and

— Tacaíocht a thabhairt do chinneadh an Rialtais na socruithe sin a choinneáil ar bun.		— Supports the decision of the Government to maintain those arrangements.”

— Notes with alarm the statement by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees that a war would be ‘a catastrophe for civilians’ and a recent UN report pointing out that consequences of a war would include half a million direct or indirect casualties, the outbreak of disease affecting one million children and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians;

— Expresses shock at the abandonment by the Government of its frequently stated commitment to the role of the UN Inspectors as a means of avoiding war;

— Deplores the failure of the Government to promote alternatives to war or to support other countries who sought a peaceful solution to this issue;

— Further notes that by its silence the Government has failed to reflect the views of the Irish people;

— Deplores the decision of the Government, in the above circumstances, to provide facilities at Shannon Airport for US personnel and equipment in transit to the war, in breach of Ireland’s long stated commitment to the principle of military neutrality and calls on the Government to cease forthwith any co-operation or assistance to those operating outside of the United Nations Charter.”— Pat Rabbitte, Michael D. Higgins, Liz McManus, Emmet Stagg, Thomas P. Broughan, Joan Burton, Joe Costello, Eamon Gilmore, Brendan Howlin, Kathleen Lynch, Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, Brian O’Shea, Jan O’Sullivan, Seamus Pattison, Willie Penrose, Ruairi Quinn, Seán Ryan, Joe Sherlock, Róisín Shortall, Mary Upton, Jack Wall.

2. To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann ” and substitute the following:

“— Condemning as illegal the imminence of military action by a United States led coalition against Iraq in not allowing United Nations weapons inspectors to continue the ongoing process of disarmament in that country;

— Reaffirms Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations as the guarantor of collective global security and as the appropriate forum for the resolution of disputes threatening international peace and security;

— Expresses its deep regret that efforts within the Security Council to reach agreement on how to address the question of Iraqi non-compliance have failed;

— Condemns the decision of the coalition to launch the war in the absence of agreement on a further resolution;

— Resolves that Ireland will not participate in any way in the coalition’s proposed military action against Iraq;

— Expresses its earnest belief that military action should not occur;

— Declares its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq;

— Calls on the Government to ensure that Ireland will be able to contribute rapidly to the humanitarian effort in Iraq;

— Calls on the United Nations to assume a central role in securing the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people and the reconstruction of Iraq in which Ireland will play its full part; and

— Declares that its territory, airspace and territorial waters are closed to the military craft of, and civilian craft chartered by the military authorities of, any of the states involved in the war.” — Trevor Sargent, John Gormley, Dan Boyle, Ciarán Cuffe, Paul Gogarty, Eamon Ryan.

3. To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:

“— Noting the imminent bombardment of Iraq with US and British weapons of mass destruction and the imminent invasion of Iraq by the armed forces of the United States and Britain;

— Notes the monumental hypocrisy of the Government in failing to condemn outright the actions of the United States and Britain despite declaring that it was a ‘political imperative’ that a second UN Security Council Resolution be passed to authorise a military assault on Iraq;

— Declares that the invasion of Iraq is an imperialist venture to secure Iraq's oil fields for United States capitalism and extend imperialist control over the Middle East region;

— Declares that allowing the US military to use Shannon Airport has made the Irish Government complicit in the invasion of Iraq and an accomplice in the death and destruction that will result;

— Demands the immediate withdrawal of any facilities in the State for US military aircraft or US military personnel and demands no permission be given for overflights of US military aircraft;

— Noting that in 1988 the then Fianna Fáil Government had extensive business dealings with the vile Saddam Hussein dictatorship,

— Further noting that his dictatorship was supported and armed by the United States and Britain in the 1980's,

— Declares that it is for the Iraqi people to overthrow Saddam Hussein; and

— Calls for the future of the peoples and resources of Iraq and the Middle East generally to be determined by the people there, based on the principles of freedom, justice, democracy and human rights, free from both local dictatorships and imperialist or corporate interference.” — Joe Higgins, Tony Gregory.

4. In the first line of the first paragraph, before “guarantor” to insert “sole”. — Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Seán Crowe, Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

5. In the second line of the first paragraph, before “appropriate” to insert “only”. — Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Seán Crowe, Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

6. After the first paragraph to insert the following:

“— Calls on all states in possession of weapons of mass destruction to put them verifiably beyond use;

— Condemns the deplorable human rights record of the Hussein regime in Iraq, and supports self-determination for the Kurdish people;”. — Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Seán Crowe, Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

7. To delete all words after the second paragraph and substitute the following:

“ — Deplores the fact that the US-British-Spanish ultimatum has effectively sabotaged the work of the UN arms inspectors;

— Unequivocally rejects the doctrine of preemption;

— Recognises that the planned US-British invasion of Iraq is proceeding without a UN mandate, and is counter to international law and the will of the international community;

— Affirms that this Government will not participate in or aid this war in any way;

— Affirms that overflight and landing privileges shall be immediately withdrawn for the duration of the war for all foreign aircraft carrying troops, munitions, and other supplies intended to assist the war effort, in keeping with our rights and duties as a neutral state, our laws, and constitution;

— Calls on the United Nations to assume a central role in securing the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi and Kurdish peoples and the reconstruction of Iraq, in which Ireland will play its full part.”.— Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Seán Crowe, Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

8. To delete all words after the fifth paragraph and substitute the following:

“— Noting that UN Resolution 1441 was unanimously adopted, demonstrating that agreement can be achieved by the UN Security Council;

— Noting that in welcoming Resolution 1441, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said on 8th November, 2002, that the Resolution provided for a clear sequential process whereby the inspectors would report back to the Security Council, which would assess compliance, make a decision on whether material breach had occurred and ‘what ensuing action is appropriate’;

— Noting the Government’s stated objective of preserving the primacy and importance of the Security Council as stated in Dáil Éireann on numerous occasions;

— Noting that the Taoiseach told the Dáil on 13th November, 2002, that Resolution 1441 was ‘not a mandate for military action’;

— Noting that securing a second UN Resolution was described as a ‘political imperative’ by the Taoiseach as late as 19th February, 2003;

— Noting the statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Dáil Éireann on 11th February, 2003, that ‘force should only be used as a last resort when every other possibility has been tried and failed’;

— Noting that Dr Hans Blix, Chief UN Weapons Inspector has stated that a critical path to a solution to the situation could be found in a short time using Resolution 1284;

— Noting that a second Resolution was considered so important that it was pursued at the UN until Monday last when it was withdrawn;

— Noting the protection which the UN Charter gives not only for collective security but for the existence of neutral countries under that security and that neutrality could not exist without respect for the UN Charter;

— Noting that there is no immediate threat to the security of the region from Iraq unlike the Kuwait invasion which gave rise to the Gulf War;

— Noting that the UN was established to prevent a repeat of the failure of collective security by the League of Nations and the subsequent death of 60 million people in the Second World War;

— Expresses its earnest hope that military action, should it occur, will be of short duration and that loss of life and destruction will be kept to a minimum;

— Declares its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq;

— Calls on all parties to any conflict to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law, in particular, the Geneva Conventions;

— Noting the close economic and personal ties between Ireland and the United States and the United Kingdom and the enormous contribution which both countries have made to international security;

— Resolves, on the basis of the facts now known:

- that it opposes and cannot participate in, or support, in any manner, the war which has commenced;

- that Ireland should work actively to restore the authority of the UN;

- that Ireland explore the humanitarian steps it can take to relieve the suffering which will result from this war; and

- that the Taoiseach should raise at the European Council, the involvement of the EU and the UN in the provision of humanitarian relief and the reconstruction of Iraq following the war.” — Enda Kenny, Gay Mitchell, Richard Bruton, Bernard Allen, Pat Breen, John Bruton, Paul Connaughton, Simon Coveney, Seymour Crawford, John Deasy, Jimmy Deenihan, Bernard J. Durkan, Damien English, Olwyn Enright, Tom Hayes, Phil Hogan, Paul Kehoe, Padraic McCormack, Dinny McGinley, Paul McGrath, Olivia Mitchell, Gerard Murphy, Denis Naughten, Dan Neville, Michael Noonan, Fergus O’Dowd, Jim O’Keeffe, John Perry, Michael Ring, David Stanton, Billy Timmins.

MEMORANDA

Déardaoin, 20 Márta, 2003

Thursday, 20th March, 2003

Cruinniú den Chomhchoiste um Shláinte
agus Leanaí i Seomra Coiste 2, LH2000, ar 9.30 a.m.

Cruinniú den Chomhchoiste um Sheirbhísí an Tí i Seomra Coiste 2, LH2000, ar 12 meán lae (príobháideach).

Meeting of the Joint House Services Committee in Committee Room 2, LH2000, at 12 noon (private).

1) Togra le haghaidh Rialacháin ón gComhairle lena mbunaítear Doiciméad Idirthurais Éascaithe (FTD) sonrach, Doiciméad Idirthurais Iarnróid Éascaithe lena leasaítear na Treoracha Consalachta Coiteanna agus an Lámhleabhar Coiteann; Togra le haghaidh Rialacháin ón gComhairle maidir le formáidí aonghnéitheacha le haghaidh Doiciméad Idirthurais Éascaithe (FTD) agus Doiciméad Idirthurais Iarnróid Éascaithe (FRTD) dá bhforáiltear i Rialachán (CE) Uimh mar aon le nóta faisnéise míniúcháin. COM (2003) 60.		1) Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a specific Facilitated Transit Document (FTD), a Facilitated Rail Transit Document (FRTD) and amending the Common Consular Instructions and the Common Manual; Proposal for a Council Regulation on uniform formats for Facilitated Transit Documents (FTD) and Facilitated Rail Transit Documents (FRTD) provided for in Regulation (EC) No. together with explanatory information note. COM (2003) 60.

2) An Comhchoiste um Thalmhaíocht agus Bia. An Dara Tuarascáil Iniúchta Uimh: 2.Tuarascáil maidir le: COM(2002) 684 - Treoir ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle maidir le faireachán ar zónóisí agus ar oibreáin zónóiseacha, lena leasaítear cinneadh 90/424/CEE ón gComhairle agus lena n-aisghairtear Treoir 92/117/CEE ón gComhairle. Feabhra, 2003.		2) Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food. Second Scrutiny Report No: 2. Report On: COM (2002) 684 - Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents, amending Council decision 90/424/EEC and repealing Council Directive 92/117/EEC. February, 2003.

3) An Comhchoiste um Thalmhaíocht agus Bia. An Triú Tuarascáil Iniúchta Uimh: 3. Tuarascáil maidir le: Togra an Choimisúin Eorpaigh le haghaidh Modhúlachtaí i gCaibidlí Talmhaíochta na hEagraíochta Trádála Domhanda. Feabhra, 2003.		3) Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food. Third Scrutiny Report No: 3. Report On: The European Commission’s Proposal for Modalities in the WTO Agriculture Negotiations. February, 2003.

4) Na Rialacháin fán nGníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil (Nósanna Imeachta Roghnóireachta) (Leasú) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 91 de 2003).		4) Environmental Protection Agency (Selection Procedures) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 91 of 2003).

5) An tOrdú fán Acht um Ghalair Ainmhithe 1966 (Fliú Éanúil) (Rialú ar Allmhairí Táirgí Éanúla ón Ísiltír) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 82 de 2003).		5) Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Avian Influenza) (Control of Imports of Avian Products from The Netherlands) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 82 of 2003).

6) Togra leasaithe le haghaidh Rialacháin ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle maidir le sláinteachas earraí bia agus Togra leasaithe le haghaidh Rialacháin ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle lena leagtar síos rialacha sonracha sláinteachais le haghaidh bia de bhunadh ainmhíoch mar aon le nóta faisnéise míniúcháin Codanna 1 agus 11. COM (2003) 33.		6) Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs and Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin together with explanatory information note Parts 1 and 11. COM (2003) 33.

7) An tOrdú fán Acht um Polasaithe Árachais Saoil Neamhéilithe 2003 (Tosach Feidhme) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 92 de 2003).		7) Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 92 of 2003).

8) Na Rialacháin fán Acht um Polasaithe Árachais Saoil Neamhéilithe 2003 (Alt 9) 2003.		8) Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies (Section 9) Regulations 2003.

9) An tOrdú um an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí (Gníomhaireacht) (Uimh. 1) 2003.		9) Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Agency) (No. 1) Order 2003.

10) An tOrdú um an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí (Gníomhaireacht) (Uimh. 2) 2003.		10) Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Agency) (No. 2) Order 2003.

11) Sales of Goods Acts 1893 agus Cuid II d’Athráiteas 1980 (2003).		11) Sales of Goods Acts 1893 and Part II of 1980 Restatement (2003).

12) Na Rialacháin um Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Trácht agus Locadh) (Leasú) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 98 de 2003).		12) Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 98 of 2003).

13) Na Rialacháin um Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Síneacha) (Leasú) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 97 de 2003).		13) Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 97 of 2003).

14) Togra le haghaidh Rialacháin ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle maidir le reacht agus maoiniú páirtithe polaitíochta Eorpacha mar aon le nóta faisnéise míniúcháin. COM (2003) 77.		14) Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statute and financing of European political parties together with explanatory information note. COM (2003) 77.

15) Ciste Scoláireachtaí George Mitchell. Tuarascálacha agus Cuntais, 2001-2002.		15) George Mitchell Scholarship Fund. Reports and Accounts, 2001 - 2002.

16) Na Rialacháin Leasa Shóisialaigh (Socruithe Idirthréimhseacha) (An Bhliain Chánach Ioncaim a Ailíniú leis an mBliain Féilire) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 74 de 2003).		16) Social Welfare (Transitional Arrangements) (Alignment of Income Tax Year with Calendar Year) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 74 of 2003).

17) Na Rialacháin Leasa Shóisialaigh (Ranníocaí Comhdhlúite agus Inárachaitheacht) (Leasú) (Ranníocaí Creidiúnaithe) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 75 de 2003).		17) Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) (Amendment) (Credited Contributions) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 75 of 2003).

Neamhreachtúil: Non-Statutory:

1) An tOrdú fán Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann (Leasú) 2002 (Tosach Feidhme) 2002 (I.R. Uimh. 552 de 2002).		1) British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 552 of 2002).

2) Nuachtbhileog Pharlaiminte, Eanáir go Márta, 2002.		2) Parliamentary Bulletin, January to March, 2002.

3) Nuachtbhileog Pharlaiminte, Aibreán go Meitheamh, 2002.		3) Parliamentary Bulletin, April to June, 2002.

4) Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Catalóg Náisiúnta de Chineálacha Plandaí Talmhaíochta) 2002 (I.R. Uimh. 525 de 2002).		4) European Communities (National Catalogue of Agricultural Plant Varieties) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 525 of 2002).

5) Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Sábháilteacht Soitheach Iascaireachta) (Leasú) 2003 (I.R. Uimh. 72 de 2003).		5) European Communities (Safety of Fishing Vessels) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 72 of 2003).

6) Fiosrúchán Bliantúil ar Sheirbhísí, 1999.		6) Annual Services Inquiry, 1999.

7) Seirbhís Príosún na hÉireann. Tuarascáil Bhliantúil, 2001.		7) Irish Prison Service. Annual Report, 2001.

8) Tuarascáil Uimh. 26 ón bhFóram Náisiúnta Eacnamaíoch agus Sóisialach: Saincheisteanna maidir leis an Margadh Oibre d’Oibrithe Scothaosta.		8) National Economic and Social Forum Report No. 26: Labour Market Issues for Older Workers.

9) An tOrdú um an Acht Craolacháin (Tuairisciú Teilifíse Mórócáidí) 1999 (Mórócáidí a Ainmniú) 2003 (I.R.Uimh. 99 de 2003).		9) Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 99 of 2003).