FG demands aid to Iraq be co-ordinated by UN

Fine Gael has demanded that humanitarian aid to Iraq be co-ordinated by the United Nations.

The party leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said that the distribution of the aid must be planned, targeted and precise. "Clearly, there is a desperate need for the kind of expert logistics of the UN in this area. Witness the distribution of food by military personnel who are neither trained for, nor expert in, this work."

Mr Kenny was moving a Fine Gael Private Members' motion calling on the Government to play a full role in the international relief effort in Iraq, working to ensure that the UN played the lead co-ordinating role. The Government is supporting the motion, which will be debated again tonight.

Mr Kenny said that, according to UNICEF, at least 5,000 Iraqi children were dying every month due to sanctions. "Add war to that equation and the loss of life among children will surely be immeasurable, literally and metaphorically." Reiterating his party's opposition to the war, Mr Kenny said the truth was that every effort had not been exhausted to defuse the crisis by peaceful means. The war was "unjust and unnecessary", he added.

The Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell, quoted from a variety of sources in defence of the party's view, adding that the developed world, Ireland included, had a chance to do what was right and what was moral.

"As a small, neutral nation we can make a difference. We can champion the rights of the UN and champion the rights of the Iraqi people. Millions of people are at risk. We cannot stand idly by."

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, said that the Government would play a strong role in bringing emergency relief to the innocent victims of the conflict. In response to the impending humanitarian crisis, he had held discussions with non-governmental organisations with a proven track record in addressing emergency humanitarian needs throughout the world.

He had also had meetings with a wide range of international agencies and these had kept him briefed on their plans to assist the most vulnerable Iraqis. Deputies would be aware, he added, that he had announced a special €5 million emergency assistance package for the people of Iraq, with a particular emphasis on women and children.

The Labour spokeswoman on finance, Ms Joan Burton, asked what the Government's view was of the scenes of aid distribution in Iraq. Television screens were showing disgraceful and shameful images of fit, young Iraqi men in their early 20s fighting and scrambling to catch the aid from other young men, she said.