Vol. 514 No. 4
19 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, the Government is taking to ensure full implementation of the comprehensive test ban treaty, particularly having regard to the decision of the US Senate to vote against ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4325/00]
The comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty is a cornerstone in the process leading to nuclear disarmament. Conclusion of negotiations on a test ban treaty in 1996 was an achievement of singular importance on that road, and Ireland was among the first states to sign and ratify the treaty.
To bring this treaty into force presents a major challenge to the international community. For that to occur, 44 states that have nuclear capabilities must ratify. To date only 26 of those 44 states have deposited their instruments of ratification.
Among the five nuclear weapon states, France and the United Kingdom have signed and ratified the treaty. While the United States, China and Russia have signed the treaty, they have not yet ratified it. India and Pakistan, states with nuclear weapon capabilities, have neither signed nor ratified the treaty.
The rejection late last year of the treaty by the United States Congress is a matter of great concern to Ireland because US leadership in this field is a prerequisite to early progress leading to the elimination of nuclear weapons. We must, however, welcome the continuing and firm determination expressed by the United States Government to pursue US ratification and I have no doubt about the sincerity of this intent and the endeavours that will be made to achieve it.
Through its active participation in the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Organization in Vienna, Ireland is helping to develop the implementation mechanisms required to give effect to this treaty when it eventually enters into force. Notwithstanding the recent setback in Congress, the United States for its part continues to make a major political and financial contribution towards the establishment of the organisation.
A conference of States party to the CTBT was held in Vienna from 6 to 8 October last year to develop strategies for the early entry into force of the treaty. Together with other States that have ratified the treaty, Ireland is actively considering the question of further meetings in the near future.
It is appropriate to pay tribute where it is due. The amount of work that went into the Irish position on this was admirable and reflects well on those who worked on it. Countries like Ireland who are friendly with the United States seek to influence its attitude on this and other matters. The Minister of State said that US leadership—
A question, please Deputy. If the Deputy is brief, I will give the Minister of State an opportunity to answer Question No. 20, which he said contained an answer to a question raised by the Deputy and Deputy Mitchell.
If US leadership is valuable and there is continuing US obstruction to ratifying this treaty, has the Minister of State any proposals as to how we will get past this point?
The recent rejection of the treaty by the US occurred as a result of political differences between President Clinton and Congress. Sufficient groundwork on it had not been done. The US is still trying to get agreement on the treaty so that it can proceed to ratify it.
