Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 6

Written Answers. - Anti-Personnel Landmines.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

33 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will demand that Ireland's EU partners cease all development and production of anti-personnel landmines in view of Ireland's ratification of the UN Inhumane Weapons Convention and of the cost in human suffering resulting from the widespread use of these devices in many countries. [8497/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Government fully shares the Deputy's concern at the death and suffering of civilians caused by anti-personnel landmines. Estimates of landmines planted during conflicts around the world range up to 100 million and the devestation caused by these landmines retards the development, rehabilitation and reconstruction of many countries.

Ireland does not manufacture or trade in any form of landmine and has consistently stated its policy on landmines to be one of support for a total ban on the production, stockpiling, manufacture and transfers of landmines. In accordance with the commitment in the programme A Government of Renewal to work for restraint on transfers of conventional weapons, the Government is actively promoting international action in this area.

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland recently ratified the UN Inhumane Weapons Convention, which prohibits the indiscriminate use of mines, in particular in areas where there is a high concentration of civilians. Ireland will therefore be participating, as a State party, at a Conference to review the Convention in Vienna in the autumn. We have participated actively, as a signatory State, in the preparatory work for this conference. We are pressing for a strengthening of the provisions in the convention relating to landmines. In this context we will be urging all countries, including our EU partners, to exercise the maximum restraint in the development and production of anti-personnel landmines.

Ireland has also supported concerted action on landmines at EU level. An EU joint action on anti-personnel landmines was agreed at the General Affairs Council on 10 April. Under the joint action, EU partners commit themselves to active preparation of, and participation in, the forthcoming review conference. EU member states agree to endeavour to foster the universal nature of the 1980 convention and to strengthen the provisions of landmines, in particular with regard to restrictions or bans on anti-personnel mines.

Another key element in the joint action is an EU common moratorium on exports of anti-personnel mines. In 1994, Ireland co-sponsored a UN General assembly resolution calling on all states to introduce a moratorium on the export of landmines. The Government therefore welcomes this common EU moratorium as an important measure in helping to reduce substantially the human and economic costs resulting from the use of such devices.