At the United Nations Ireland has proposed the elaboration of a code of conduct for conventional arms transfers which would encourage states voluntarily to exercise responsibility and restraint in their exports and imports of conventional arms and set out common principles to be observed in this area. At Ireland's initiative, a draft resolution aimed at putting the work in hand was tabled at the General Assembly last autumn on behalf of the EU and a number of Eastern European countries. The discussions on this draft resolution demonstrated that, while there is growing acceptance of the need for international action in this area, a number of states, notably certain developing countries, remain to be convinced.
In accordance with its commitment in the programme. A Government of Renewal, the Government is now working, together with EU partners and other like-minded countries, to broaden support among UN member states for action in this area. At the current session of the United Nations Disarmament Commission in New York, Ireland has tabled proposals which it is hoped will become the basis of further more detailed work in the Commission. Our twin objectives are, on the one hand, to ease the fears of some developing countries that acceptance of the principles contained in the code might interfere with their legitimate right to provide for their self-defence and on the other, to widen the base of support for reducing over-armament through the voluntary exercise of restraint in conventional arms exports and imports.
While it is clear that much remains to be accomplished, the Government will continue its efforts to achieve the very necessary and worthwhile objective of greater restraint in conventional arms transfers.