Vol. 442 No. 9
2 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland has not ratified the Convention for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons which was signed in Paris in 1993; when it is intended to ratify the Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ireland signed the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction — known as the Chemical Weapons Convention — CWC — on 14 January 1993 at a signatory conference held in Paris. The convention includes the most intensive inspection regime every established in an arms control agreement. A total of one hundred and fifty-eight states have now signed, and six of whom have ratified the convention. These include three states with few or no chemical facilities, and three States with chemical industries; Sweden, Norway and Australia.
In view of Ireland's traditional policy strongly advocating comprehensive multilateral disarmament measures, Ireland was an original signatory of the convention, together with its partners in the EU.
To give effect to the provisions of the convention, which are extremely complex and detailed, legislation will be needed. The Dáil and Seanad will have the opportunity to debate the substance of the convention itself when the implementing Bill is being considered. It is hoped that, following adoption of the legislation, Ireland will be in a position to ratify the convention.
