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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 5

Written Answers. - French Nuclear Tests.

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

34 Mr. M. McDowell asked the asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of the declared intention of France to carry out further nuclear weapon tests in the South Pacific, the steps, if any, he is taking to seek to dissuade France from such a course of action. [18341/95]

I have consistently used all appropriate and available opportunities both bilateral and multilateral, including meetings within the framework of the EU, to raise the issue of French nuclear testing. I should point out that our concerns on nuclear testing are not selective: we have also made clear our concerns to the Chinese Government in relation to the two Chinese tests earlier this year.

In common with a number of our EU partners, we have urged France to end without delay its testing programme in the South Pacific and to thereby set an international example in support of moratoriums on nuclear testing, with a view to early progress towards a comprehensive test ban treaty.

I have brought directly to the attention of the French Government Irish disappointment and concern that France has proceeded with this testing programme in the face of the opposition of the countries of the Pacific region and despite numerous appeals to desist, addressed to France by friendly countries, including Ireland.

In my address at the 50th session of the UN General Assembly on 27 September, I highlighted the issue of nuclear testing by France and China. I drew attention to the fact that the great majority of Irish people easily understand and share the deep concern of the peoples of the South Pacific. I emphasised the great importance which the Government attach to finalising a comprehensive test ban treaty early next year.
On 16 November, in the Disarmament Committee of the UN General Assembly, Ireland voted in favour of an important resolution which, among other things, commended those nuclear weapon States observing moratoria on nuclear tests and urged them to continue the moratoria pending the entry into force of a comprehensive test ban treaty. The resolution also strongly deplored all current nuclear testing and strongly urged the immediate cessation of all nuclear testing. The vote on this resolution was 95 in favour, including ten EU member states; 12 against, including France and the UK; and 45 abstentions, including Germany, Greece and Spain. The Plenary of the General Assembly will vote on the Resolution later this month.
The French Government, for its part, has indicated that it will commit itself to a fully comprehensive test ban treaty next year. This is a significant statement, as is its recent decision to sign next year the Protocols to the Treaty of Rarotonga, which establishes a nuclear free zone in the South Pacific, and outlaws testing in the region. For our part, we will continue to work to bring an end as soon as possible to all nuclear tests. We earnestly hope that France will heed the sustained and widespread calls to ends once and for all, and without delay, its programme of nuclear testing.
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