Vol. 432 No. 2
15 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action that is being taken by Ireland to ensure negotiations and early ratification of an International Convention on Desertification; and the Department or Departments of State here that have lead responsibility for this issue.
The decision to convene an international conference on dessertification was one of the agreements reached at the Earth Summit in Rio last year. Ireland took the position that the early conclusion and ratification of a convention on desertification was desirable. That continues to be the Government's view.
The countries most directly affected are those in the Sahel Region of Africa, but desertification and soil erosion also affect the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania, Zambia and Sudan, which are priority countries for Irish aid.
At this stage intergovernmental negotiations have focused on the scientific and technical aspects of desertification. This is not an area where Ireland has a significant level of expertise to offer.
Given that desertification is affecting developing countries most severely, my Department has the lead responsibility.
