My party would prefer if the Taoiseach did not pay a visit to the United States, given that a war in Iraq has been threatened, but it seems he is determined to go. He said yesterday and today that he would highlight the differences between the Irish and US positions during his discussions with the US President, Mr. Bush. If he is to set out a certain point of view and to stand by the United Nations, it is fair that he should tell the House what he will say to Mr. Bush and that he should explain how his opinion differs from the US President's view.

The Taoiseach should clarify which United Nations he intends to stand by. Will he stand by the US interpretation of the UN, which is that a veto does not matter as long as there are nine votes in favour of a new Security Council resolution or will he stand by the view of the UN articulated by France, which is determined to ensure that the veto is respected, as required by international law? Will the Taoiseach take into account the perception in the EU, based on the negotiations on CAP reform, that Ireland is supporting the US view of the best way to proceed in relation to Iraq? The Government's position on this matter is damaging Ireland's position in the CAP reform negotiations. Will the Taoiseach take this opportunity, before he travels to the United States, to clarify his views to the House and the Irish people? Which view of the United Nations does he support?

There is one United Nations.

There is not.

There has always been one United Nations. Ireland shares the goals of the United Nations, that Iraq should be disarmed by peaceful means, if at all possible, and that agreement should be reached among members of the UN. I have continually said that the UN should be united in purpose if it is to be effective and Ireland would like such a position to be achieved. I will say at the last hour, as I am saying today and will say tomorrow, that there is a need to avoid the use of force. The avoidance of the use of force lies in the hands of Saddam Hussein, who has caused these problems.

The Taoiseach sounds like George Bush.

The problems have not been caused by the United States or the United Nations. It is important that Iraq complies with the Security Council. Ireland will endeavour to achieve a peaceful resolution and I will state our amended position if this cannot be achieved. This country has been a loyal defender of the UN for many years. Our troops have been sent to Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon and East Timor. We have been faithful servants of the UN, which is our collective security system, and we stand by it. I am amazed Deputy Sargent does not understand that there is only one United Nations.

The Taoiseach should appreciate that there are at least two views within the UN.

I am surprised the Deputy does not understand the UN Charter. I will state my views to the US President when I have an opportunity to do so.

The Taoiseach does not respect the House.

I take it as an implicit insult to this House that the Taoiseach will state his views to the President of the United States but he will not tell the House which of the views within the United Nations he supports. It is clear that the UN is not united at present, as there would be a resolution to this matter if it were. Is the Taoiseach aware that other bodies are making contingency plans in the expectation of a war? Development agencies are bracing themselves for an almighty humanitarian crisis and the business sector has arranged work stoppages in the event of war. The Irish Hotels Federation is bracing itself for a downturn in tourism and Aer Lingus has said it will refund the cost of tickets to those who do not wish to go to the US if a war breaks out. Irish citizens, such as Michael Bermingham, as well as citizens of other countries, including the US and the UK, are staying in Iraq to bear witness to the violence that will unfold. Haliburton, a company associated with Dick Cheney, is making plans to reconstruct Iraqi oil fields after the war.

The Deputy's time is up.

Will the Taoiseach outline the contingency plans being drawn up by the Irish Government? Will overflights be continued, but only if they are humanitarian? Will aircraft carrying weapons to Iraq continue to be allowed to fly over this country? Will the Taoiseach, at least, consider wearing a "no to war" sticker when he visits the White House to get his message across?

The Deputy's minute has concluded.

The Taoiseach's comments on this matter have not been clear.

Perhaps Deputy Sargent did not hear me state yesterday that it is regrettable that efforts to implement Resolution 1441 have created tensions within the Security Council. Everybody knows that such tensions exist. One can see on television every night that permanent members of the council are working in direct opposition to each other, which is a cause of considerable regret. Ireland shares the goal of the United Nations in relation to reaching agreement. The Government has consistently stated that a second resolution is needed if Resolution 1441, which was unanimously agreed, is to be implemented.

What if there is no second resolution?

It could not be clearer that the Government would like to see a second resolution.

What will happen if there is no second resolution?

The Taoiseach should be allowed to conclude without interruption.

The Government will spell out its position if there is not a second resolution.

The Taoiseach should spell it out now.

No, I will not do it now.

The people have a right to know the Government's position.

I will not do it now.

Deputy Gormley may not speak as he is not the leader of his party.

I have no intention of doing it now.

The Taoiseach should be allowed to speak without interruption.

I find it hard to listen—

The Taoiseach should be on this side.

—to the Green Party's comments, given that the German Foreign Minister, who is a member of that party—

Why does the Taoiseach not support him?

Why should I support him? Does the Deputy know what he does? If we stop flights from coming into Shannon Airport, he will be the first to try to get them to land in Germany.

Hear, hear.

Germany is in NATO.

Is that not a marvellous system?

It is a member of NATO.

So it is NATO—

The Taoiseach's minute has concluded.

Germany is not a neutral country.

At least I have a consistent position and I am not like the French, who allow the US to overfly, despite the fact that they are against the war and may veto a new resolution.

What about Fianna Fáil's links with the DeGaulists?

Let us not be silly.

France and Germany are not neutral countries. We are neutral.

Deputy Gormley, allow the Taoiseach to speak.

We have stuck consistently to the UN position and we will continue to do so.

What about Austria, a country that does not allow overflights?

I will not change my position every day to suit the Green Party.

There has been no change.