Vol. 487 No. 3
115 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Pakistan and India are developing nuclear weapons and the capacity to deliver them; if Pakistan is being supplied by China in this regard; and the representations, if any, Ireland has made on the matter to any of the countries concerned. [4036/98]
The prevention of the further spread of nuclear weapons remains a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. The Government is alert to the danger of the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. We remain vigilant, along with other like-minded countries, ensuring that Ireland in no way unwittingly contributes to the spread of nuclear weapons capability and, to this end, we apply strict export controls on all equipment, components and sub-components which may be used in the development of such weapons or delivery systems.
India detonated a nuclear explosive device in 1975 and both India and Pakistan have been active in the acquisition of nuclear weapons capability for many years. India and Pakistan have refused to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1968. Successive Irish Governments have called in particular on so called "threshold states", that is, states with a known but undeclared nuclear weapons capability, such as India and Pakistan, to accede to the NPT. India and Pakistan have more recently refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, 1995. Both these countries have been made aware of our concerns in this regard.
