I move:
That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to Article 29.5.2º of Bunreacht na hÉireann, approves the terms of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by Ireland on 24th September, 1996, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 10th June, 1999.
Since the first – and, thankfully, so far the only – use of nuclear weapons in 1945, the world has sought ways of preventing their proliferation. Down the years, Ireland has continually called on all states to refrain from testing nuclear weapons and to embrace nuclear disarmament. Growing concerns among both states and non-state actors about the consequences of a large number of countries holding nuclear weapons – and the increased likelihood of their use if that happened – led to the landmark Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968, which was proposed by one of my predecessors, the late Mr. Frank Aiken, in 1958. Another significant treaty, banning nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water, was concluded in 1963.
Ireland remains committed not only to non-proliferation but also to disarmament. The nuclear weapons states must speedily take steps towards achieving total nuclear disarmament, as they are obliged to do under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It was with this in mind that I, along with the foreign ministers of seven other countries, launched a declaration entitled "Towards a nuclear weapons free world: the Need for a New Agenda" on 9 June last year. This initiative is set in the context of the 1996 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion that the nuclear weapons states must pursue in good faith, and bring to a conclusion, negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control. It is an effort to find the middle ground in nuclear disarmament debate and, by so doing, seeks to encourage the nuclear weapons states to engage with greater commitment in the disarmament process. A resolution based on the declaration was approved on 4 December 1998 by a large majority of the UN General Assembly; 114 states voted in favour, 18 voted against and 38 abstained. The wide-ranging support as well as the fact that so many allies of the nuclear weapons states, including China, itself a nuclear weapons state, abstained, was very encouraging and has girded us to pursue this initiative in all relevant fora. In particular, next year's NPT review conference will provide a unique opportunity to achieve concrete results in respect of nuclear disarmament.
The current treaty structure – the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the treaty banning nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water – has had considerable success in limiting the number of nuclear weapons states. However, that structure left a clear gap by permitting the nuclear weapons states to continue testing new weapons underground. The solution to this problem was found in the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty which removes the anomaly by forbidding all nuclear weapons tests anywhere. For this reason, Ireland has long been a consistent and active supporter of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. I am, therefore, very pleased to move this motion approving the terms of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, commonly known as the CTBT.
Let me briefly explain how the treaty came about and why I am asking the House to approve its terms today. It was initially negotiated within the framework of the conference on disarmament in Geneva. The text was then adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 September 1996 and opened for signature on 24 September 1996. Ireland signed on the first day. To date it has been signed by 152 countries and ratified by 37, including 12 of our 14 EU partners.
The treaty bans all nuclear test explosions, wherever they may be conducted. It also obliges all states' parties to ensure that no person within their jurisdiction or control participates in or assists a nuclear test explosion. In order to verify compliance with the prohibition, an international monitoring system will be established. This system will comprise 312 stations around the globe which will conduct continuous seismological, hydro-acoustic and radio-nuclide monitoring. The network will permit the detection of any nuclear explosion.
The system will be run by a supervisory body which will be established in Vienna, namely the CTBT Organisation or the CTBTO. The organisation will have the powers to inspect any sites on which it is suspected that nuclear tests have taken place. It will also have the technical expertise to make reliable judgments on suspicions.
In addition, the organisation will provide a forum for ensuring that the treaty's aims and objectives are met, as well as for consultation and co-operation among states' parties. As in other international organisations and bodies, the organisation's budget will be provided by contributions from states' parties, based on the United Nations scale of assessment, adjusted, as appropriate, to take account of the differences in membership between the two organisations. Pending the entry into force of the treaty, a preparatory commission for the CTBTO has been set up and it has begun to establish both the monitoring system and the organisation's administrative structure.
The treaty will enter into force when the 44 countries, which it names, have ratified it. The 44 countries in question are those which the International Atomic Energy Agency deems to have a nuclear capability, whether civilian or military. Ireland is not among them. So far 41 of the 44 have signed the treaty and 18 have ratified it. India, Pakistan and North Korea are the three named states which have not signed the treaty.
If the treaty has not entered into force within three years of opening for signature, namely, by 24 September this year, a conference of states which have ratified it will be convened to consider ways of ensuring its rapid entry into force. It is now clear that this conference will be convened in the autumn. Ireland must ratify the treaty in order to fully participate in the proceedings of this conference.
Under the terms of the treaty states' parties are required to designate a national authority to ensure effective implementation of the treaty and to serve as a national focal point for liaison with the organisation and with the other states' parties. On 25 May the Government decided to designate the Department of Public Enterprise as Ireland's national authority. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland will carry out Ireland's obligations under the treaty. The RPII has responsibility for all aspects of nuclear and radiological safety in Ireland and for implementing Ireland's nuclear safeguards agreement with the IAEA.
Last year India and Pakistan conducted tests of nuclear weapons. At the time I made it clear, directly to the representatives of both Governments, that the people and Government of Ireland were deeply dismayed and angered at the tests. Those events clearly demonstrate the urgent need for rapid entry into force of the CTBT. Adherence by Pakistan and India to the CTBT is fundamental to its success. To date neither has signed it, although both have indicated that they may do so. It is my hope that both countries will come to appreciate the strength of international concern and that they will sign and ratify the treaty as soon as possible without conditions.
Let me emphasise that the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is a central instrument in preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons. By implementing a ban on testing nuclear devices and by establishing an effective mechanism to monitor the ban, it will add to all our security. I commend the motion to the House.
I apologise to the Opposition spokespersons for my departure from the House as I have to attend a function. We are behind schedule due to a prolonged Order of Business.