It now appears that military activity in the war in Iraq is nearing conclusion. On Monday, the Taoiseach spoke to Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, about the UN's role in respect of reconstructing and overseeing administration in post-war Iraq. The key word emanating from yesterday's meeting in Hillsborough involving President Bush, Prime Minister Blair and the Taoiseach was "vital". Given the scale of challenge facing the administrative bodies in respect of rebuilding Iraq, re-launching its currency, building a financial system from scratch and putting in place an operational judicial system leading to a point where Iraqi people can elect their own democratic government, will the Taoiseach explain to this House what is his definition of the word "vital" in regard to the UN's role? Has he reported back to Kofi Annan who he said would be well satisfied with what he had to report? What is the Taoiseach's understanding of what was agreed yesterday between President Bush and Prime Minister Blair? Will the United Nations oversee the administration and reconstruction of Iraq or will it merely be an advisory body to the office for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance which the US and Britain are offering to put in place? What is the Taoiseach's understanding of the words "vital role" in respect of the work to be carried out by the United Nations in the reconstruction of Iraq?

I spoke to the Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, on Monday. I asked him how he felt matters had developed and he informed me he had spoken to the Security Council which had done preparatory work on what way it would be involved in post-war Iraq. The UN has a special role in this regard. It has special experience and expertise in some areas, although not all. Kofi Annan said the UN had to be cautious about taking on things it would not be able to do or becoming involved in areas that would over-stretch it. The UN does not have any difficulties on the humanitarian issue in which it can become fully involved. It has enormous expertise through numerous UN organisations. Resolution 1472 which was successfully passed under the German chairmanship last Friday week is already in place and allows NGOs and UN organisations to become fully involved. That is already taking place.

Kofi Annan said the issue of political facilitation leading to the emergence of a new or interim administration is another area in which the UN has considerable expertise. He feels the best way to do this would be to adhere to the Afghanistan model where a UN nominee is involved. The UN has worked in partnership with many countries involved in Afghanistan. That is the preferred position. The UN does not wish to take over the entire operation on day one because it does not think that is feasible. It wants to work in partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom. The UN is, this week, working on the reconstruction programme and looking at what would be involved in setting up an administration which would include Iraqis from inside and outside with some assistance in the early stages. The reconstruction and normalisation of Iraq is a huge task. The UN must move from the oil for food programme to normality and it has the required expertise in this area which others do not have.

I relayed that information to President Bush yesterday. Events were already moving on because the Secretary General, at the request of the President, had already announced Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed as the UN special envoy in this area and he commenced work last night with the Americans and the British. It is hoped, according to the last call I received late last night, that Kofi Annan will meet Prime Minister Blair in London tomorrow morning. The timing may change but that meeting should take place within the next 24 hours.

Did the US President agree with what the Taoiseach relayed to him, following his conversation with Kofi Annan, that a nominee of the United Nations would work in partnership with the office for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance? Did President Bush say he was happy with that version of Kofi Annan's preference? Given the conflicting signs coming from President Bush and Prime Minister Blair, were the claims that this war was about oil raised with them? Was the issue raised that nothing should be done in terms of strategy for the use of oil resources in Iraq until such time as a democratic government elected by the Iraqi people is put in place? Was that point central to any of the discussions the Taoiseach had yesterday with the US President and the British Prime Minister? That claim has been made internationally and it would be important that in the overseeing of the administration and rebuilding of Iraq, that central issue should not be violated in any way.

I had an opportunity yesterday to meet Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush for an hour. I told them what people were saying in this country and others. It is not my view, but I thought it was an opportunity for me to put the case and I put it straight to them that people said this war was about oil, power, influence in the region—

Does the Taoiseach think they would admit that?

—and trying to gain influence on Syria and Iran and the relationship with Saudi Arabia. I put all of the points to them because I had an opportunity to do so. President Bush robustly defends the position that the only thing the war is about is trying to give a future of liberation to the Iraqi people. He said the oil revenues will be for the Iraqi people and the development of Iraq and he looks forward to proving wrong those who are sceptical about his intentions. He outlined—

We thought it was about weapons of mass destruction.

These are Leaders' Questions, Deputy Higgins.

—how he will help to develop Iraq and how that will normalise the region.

Deputy Kenny asked an important question and I want to give him an answer.

Where are the weapons of mass destruction?

Deputy Higgins, I ask you to restrain yourself.

On the other aspect mentioned by Deputy Kenny, Mr. da Silva will continue to act as the humanitarian co-ordinator, and he is in place now. He has that legitimacy under Resolution 1472. Mr. Ahmed's mandate is to work with the Secretary General and the Security Council. He does not have a role on the ground at present. I believe that will develop because President Bush said it will be in partnership. These things will not all happen over the next week or two. It will take some weeks but clearly the United Nations will have an involvement.