asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the Government's efforts to date to assist in bringing about biological weapon control; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Biological Weapon Control.
5.
Ireland is a party to the 1972 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxic Weapons and on their Destruction. We participated in the First Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention in March 1980. We have consistently supported the absolute and universal prohibition of the use of these weapons.
Ireland has supported efforts at the United Nations towards the improvement of the complaints procedure provided for under the convention. The complaints procedure provided for under the convention operates through the United Nations Security Council and is subject to the Security Council's voting procedures. We, together with Sweden, Austria, Columbia, Mexico, Pakistan, Uruguay and Yugoslavia, co-sponsored a United Nations Resolution adopted by majority vote in 1982 which sought to have a special conference convened to establish a flexible, objective and nondiscriminatory procedure to deal with issues concerning compliance with the convention. This initiative was opposed by the Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries and it has not so far proved possible to secure agreement to the convening of a special conference.
I might say in passing that it is very difficult to hear the Minister. I think probably it has something to do with the microphones in the House.
This does not appear to be working or to be turned on.
In regard to Question No. 5 and in regard to Question No. 4 also — I did not wish to interrupt the Minister then — would the Minister assure the House that the Government's action is pro-active rather than reactive in regard to both chemical and biological control, that we are actually out there seeking a solution to this problem and, as a small nation, contributing to the peaceful co-existence of both East and West?
Yes, the Deputy can take that for granted. We co-sponsored a motion at the United Nations in 1982. We shall avail of any opportunity — indeed lead the way where appropriate — in getting this conference convened, hopefully within the next 12 or 18 months.
Is the Minister aware of the situation in this regard in the discussions which are hopefully, and to the great relief of many people, taking place at present between the USSR and the USA? Do these talks relate at all to chemical weaponry or biological weaponry? We hear a great deal about talks in so far as nuclear armament and space weaponry is concerned. For my own information, is the Minister aware of whether these other areas are covered in these talks?
I do not think so; I think they are related to nuclear and space weapons. Of course, if those talks prove to be successful I would hope that they would be extended to any type of weapon that might be used in conflict in the future.
But, as of now, they do not?
As far as I know, not.