Vol. 464 No. 4
56 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts, if any, he is making regarding anti-personnel land-mines and the need for a unilateral ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8340/96]
As clearly outlined in the White Paper on Foreign Policy, the Government is totally opposed to the indiscriminate nature, production, stockpiling, use of and trade in anti-personnel land-mines and are seeking support for a total ban on these weapons. In this context, we are taking an active part in the Review Conference on the Inhumane Weapons Convention. This Conference is currently meeting in its Final Session in Geneva and will conclude in early May.
When the review conference commenced, Ireland was one of only five countries calling for a total ban on anti-personnel land-mines. Since then, the same position has been adopted by a further twenty-six countries. I am greatly heartened by this increase in the number of countries which have come to share our view. I hope that the significant changes in the positions of these delegations to the conference will have a positive influence on the negotiations and contribute to efforts to secure the maximum strengthening possible of Protocol II. The provisions of this Protocol relate to the prohibitions and restrictions on the use of land-mines. It is hoped that all States Parties will accept an amended Protocol including a ban on the use of non-detectable anti-personnel land-mines; a ban on the use of long-lived, remotely-delivered anti-personnel land-mines; and a ban on the transfer of land-mines which do not comply with the new rules.
