Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Arms Trade.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

88 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Sargent den Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha cad atá á dhéanamh aige chun méadú in úsáid gunnaí agus mionarm a fhógairt agus a stopadh tar éis dó labhairt ag an 54ú Seisiún de Chomhthionól Ginearálta na Náisiún Aontaithe ar 25 Meán Fómhair 1999. [20665/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

Over the past years it has become abundantly clear that the uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons has had devastating consequences in areas of conflict around the world. The ready availability of small arms and light weapons often leads to violent clashes where peaceful conflict resolution might otherwise be possible. In turn, the growing violence tends to increase the demand for weapons. The horrendous consequences of this vicious spiral are all too often seen.

I have recently been engaged with a number of like-minded Foreign Ministers in developing strategies for the pursuit of human security. This is a security that is people centred rather than state-centred, an approach we consider necessary when dealing with small arms which affect the lives of civilians in so many parts of the globe.

Our activities are currently focused on the forthcoming small arms conference to be held in 2001, the outcome of which will, we hope, achieve a radical review of the issues associated with the spread of small arms and light weapons.

Earlier this year guidelines on practical measures to remove small arms and light weapons from circulation in post-conflict situations were adopted by the UN Disarmament Commission under Irish chairmanship.

Within the EU, we have also been active in bringing about the Programme for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Arms, the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and the Joint Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. These include commitments to tackling this problem from three angles: ensuring responsibility in the transfer of weapons, preventing destabilising accumulations of weapons from occurring and removing such accumulations where they exist.