Vol. 464 No. 4
24 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for a review of his Department's procurement policy with a view to excluding from supply competitions those companies which manufacture or supply landmines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8218/96]
Ireland does not manufacture conventional or other weapons. When required by the Defence Forces such equipment has to be purchased from sources abroad. Procurement policy is already subject to careful scrutiny and is conducted on the basis of rigorous controls.
Generally speaking foreign weapons suppliers and manufacturers comprise or are part of extensive commercial organisations in that field. Within such organisations particular units or subsidiaries may be involved with the manufacture of landmines but my Department has little information in the matter as such equipment is not normally purchased for the Defence Forces. It would not be possible realistically to regulate the admission of suppliers to my Department's competitions for defensive equipment on the basis of degrees of relationship with companies which may be involved with landmines or parts of them.
I would like to emphasise that the Government are totally opposed to the indiscriminate nature, production, use and trade of anti-personnel landmines and are seeking support for a complete ban on such weapons.
