The economic and development needs of the Iraqi people do not have to be put on hold pending full compliance by Iraq with the UN Security Council resolutions, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said yesterday.

There is an emerging view including on the part of the new US administration "in favour of examining possible new approaches to the continuation and implementation of sanctions", he said.

However, Mr Cowen pointed out that "as long as sanctions remain in place there is no alternative to the oil for food programme in providing for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people".

The Minister was speaking during a debate in the House on Iraq. Opposition deputies criticised Ireland's approach as "flawed" and "Utopian" and Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Mr Michael Higgins, said it was a "sad and pathetic opening" to Ireland's time on the UN Security Council.

Opening the 30-minute debate, Mr Cowen said all that was required for the lifting of sanctions "is that the government of Iraq meets its commitments and demonstrates with concrete evidence its peaceful intentions especially with regard to its neighbours".

Fine Gael's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Jim O'Keeffe, said the Government had focused on Utopian solutions, and if the Minister was basing Ireland's policy on such an expectation "it is in vain". The "monstrous" regime of President Saddam Hussein was the greatest enemy of the people. However, he said the food for oil programme was a "disaster" and he believed the Iraqi regime wanted the sanctions to continue.

Ms Nora Owen (FG, Dublin North) was disappointed at the Minister's approach. "I hoped he would use his new position on the Security Council to be the voice that stimulated other countries to call for the immediate lifting of the sanctions. It is not enough to say that Ireland is trying to get the climate right so a point can be reached where the lifting of the sanctions can be discussed."

Mr Higgins said it was a disgrace to say that "when everything is right in Iraq things will be put right". The sanctions were holding a civilian population as "hostage for what is directed against an administration. It is in breach of the Geneva Convention, in defiance of the UN Charter and it is a disgrace for a member of the Security Council to justify what is taking place".