asked the Minister for External Affairs what are the reasons for signing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in Moscow and London.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Signing of Nuclear Weapons Treaty.
2.
: As in the case of the Test Ban Treaty the Non-Proliferation Treaty was opened for signature in London, Moscow and Washington and was signed and ratified by Ireland in all three centres.
As Ireland and other countries might well become victims in a nuclear war, and as the Treaty, while making nuclear energy freely available to all States for peaceful purposes, represents long hoped for Great Power co-operation in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and in guaranteeing the signatory non-nuclear States against attack by a nuclear power, we thought it wise and proper to mark our welcome of this development by signing and ratifying the Treaty in all three capitals.
: Has the Minister noted the reservations which the Government of Federal Germany have expressed in regard to it and have we considered the implications of those reservations before we signed the Treaty.
: I think it is hoped that Federal Germany will sign also.