Fine Gael seeks support for Iraq aid motion

Fine Gael Leader Mr Enda Kenny TD has written to the leaders of all the political parties in Dáil Éireann to seek their support…

Fine Gael Leader Mr Enda Kenny TD has written to the leaders of all the political parties in Dáil Éireann to seek their support for his motion on humanitarian aid for Iraq.

The motion is due to be heard during Private Members' time later this week.

"The Irish people have a long and proud tradition of responding to major humanitarian crises across the globe," he said. "Their thoughts now are with the suffering people of Iraq".

He said the war in Iraq has caused much division between political parties but called on them to unite to "reflect the widely held concern of all politicians and the Irish people" about the impending humanitarian crisis.

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The Fine Gael motion calls on the Government to "play a full role" in the international-relief effort and to work to ensure that the United Nations plays the lead co-ordinating role in the relief effort.

It also demands that the Government pursues a commitment from the European Union and the United Nations to provide the necessary funding and to work to ensure that this money will not be taken from funds earmarked for other vulnerable regions.