Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 5

Written Answers. - Manufacture-Distribution of Arms.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

35 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries of the European Union in which landmines, handguns and other conventional weapons are manufactured; and the measures, if any, which exist to control the manufacture and distribution of such weapons, particularly to countries which are in a state of civil war. [8310/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland does not manufacture any conventional or other weapons. However, a number of Ireland's European Union partners are classified among the world's leading suppliers of major conventional weapons. These include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. We are aware that, in addition, conventional weapons are manufactured in most other EU member states. Detailed official information about types of conventional weapons manufactured in each member state is not readily available.

Under the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, the Union is committed to the preservation of peace and the strengthening of international security. The Government, in accordance with its commitment in the programme, A Government of Renewal, is seeking “a Europe which promotes peace and disarmament”.

Although issues relating to arms manufacture fall outside the scope of the Treaty on European Union, the EU has developed common criteria with regard to the export of conventional weapons. In accordance with these criteria, EU member states refrain from arms exports to certain areas of actual or potential conflict.

In addition, the European Union is working to achieve greater transparency, responsibility and restraint with regard to arms exports. The EU sponsored the introduction of a United Nations Register of Armaments to include information on international transfers of certain categories of conventional weapons. The UN Register of Conventional Arms, established in 1993, is playing a useful role in that regard. Furthermore, all EU partners have agreed to a set of principles governing conventional arms transfers in the context of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OCSE.

The Government wishes to see more done in this area. At the United Nations, Ireland has proposed the elaboration of a Code of Conduct for Conventional Arms Transfers, of a more universal character, which would encourage states voluntarily to exercise responsibility and restraint in their exports and imports of conventional arms and set out common principles to be observed in this area. Our European partners have supported this proposal for a universal, politically binding code of conduct, as an important step forward in the area of conventional arms control. Ireland is continuing to work to broaden support among UN member states for this approach.

With regard to landmines, Ireland has supported concerted action at EU level. An EU joint action on anti-personnel landmines was agreed at the General Affairs Council last April. One key element in the joint action is an EU common moratorium on exports of anti-personnel mines. This comprises a total ban on exports of certain anti-personnel mines to all destinations, as well as a ban on exports of all types of anti-personnel mines to those states which have not yet ratified the 1980 Inhumane Weapons Convention, the principal international instrument which seeks to deal with landmines.

The convention prohibits the indiscriminate use of certain conventional weapons, notably anti-personnel landmines, particularly in areas where there is a high concentration of civilians. Through the joint action, EU partners also commit themselves to active preparation and participation in the review conference on the convention, which will take place in Vienna next autumn. Member states agree to endeavour to foster the universal nature of the 1980 convention and to strengthen the provisions on landmines, in particular those on restrictions or prohibitions on anti-personnel mines. This would include provisions on the transfer of such mines.

Ireland is an original signatory of the Inhumane Weapons Convention. Ireland recently ratified the convention and will, therefore, be able to participate, as a state party, at the forthcoming review conference. We have participated actively, as a signatory State, in preparatory work for this conference, where we have stated our position as one of support for a total ban on production, stockpiling, manufacture and transfer of landmines, if that can be achieved.