Vol. 500 No. 5
62 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the work on the International Commission on the Development of an International Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers chaired by Dr. Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica; and the steps, if any, he is taking to assist and support the commission. [3914/99]
95 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, if any, he has had with our European partners regarding a code of conduct for the arms trade drawn up by former President Oscar Arias and a committee of Nobel peace prize winners; his view on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4520/99]
I intend to reply to Questions Nos. 62 and 95 together.
I am aware of proposals made by the former Costa Rican President Arias-Sanchez in 1997 on a Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers. Ireland has long been active at the United Nations in pursuing the issue of arms transfers, including the tabling of our own proposal for a code of conduct in the First Committee. Our interest and involvement is reflected in the fact that Ireland is currently chairing the United Nations Disarmament Commissions Working Group on Conventional Arms.
With regard to discussions in the European Union, the Government has pressed strongly for greater priority to be given in the EU to more effective controls over arms transfers.
The last year has witnessed agreement within the European Union on a Code of Conduct on arms exports. Ireland made a considerable contribution in the elaboration of this code. The further development of this instrument and its adoption as a code of conduct by other states is currently being pursued by the European Union.
I am currently examining with my colleagues from Canada and Norway steps to develop the broader issue of human security including the question of small arms. The international conference to address the issue of small arms scheduled for 2000 will provide a singular opportunity for further action in this regard.
