Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - Ratification of UN Convention.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

133 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland has not ratified the 1980 UN Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons which may be deemed excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The convention to which the Deputy refers was opened for signature on 10 April 1981, and entered into force on 2 December 1983. The aim of the Convention is twofold, to ensure:

(a) that certain conventional weapons should neither inflict excessive injury nor cause unnecessary suffering, and

(b) that they should be directed only at military forces and not used indiscriminately so as to harm the civilian population.

Ireland signed the Convention in 1981, and we fully support its aims. We have never manufactured or traded in any weapons which would be covered by the Convention, and there is no intention to involve ourselves in such manufacture or trade.

Ireland's position on the Convention was made clear in the UN General Assembly in 1993, where we co-sponsored resolutions on this issue.

Ireland and several of our partners in the European Union which have not yet ratified the Convention are now taking steps to do so. It is intended that this will be done at an early date so as to facilitate the convening of a Review Conference on the implementation of the Convention.