Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - Economic Sanctions.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

85 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland's position on the maintenance and future introduction of economic sanctions against countries; his views on whether the current imposition of sanctions has been successful in reaching their aims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27470/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The issue of the application of economic sanctions and of their effectiveness in individual circumstances is one to which the Government gives very careful consideration on a case by case basis.

Economic sanctions are one of the instruments available for the implementation of foreign policy by the international community. The most widespread support possible is desirable and while the EU can take measures on its own, economic sanctions are most usually applied by the United Nations.

Specifically targeted economic sanctions, when consistently enforced, can play an important role where flagrant breaches of international law occur or there is a threat to international peace. There is, however, a strong balancing objective to ensure that the general population of the country against whose government the sanctions are enforced does not suffer. We believe that sanctions regimes should be carefully defined and focused and tailored to the particular situation to which they are to be applied.

In the context of Ireland's UN membership, Article 41 of the United Nations Charter empowers the Security Council to interrupt econ omic relations where it has determined there is a threat to international peace. Ireland stands by its obligation under Article 25 of the charter to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. This is binding upon all UN member states. As a member of the Council from 1 January 2001, we will have a particular responsibility both with regard to monitoring the implementation of existing sanctions and also the consideration of proposals under the charter for new measures.

Sanctions have not been particularly successful in compelling countries to comply with resolutions of the UN Security Council but they have been more successful in controlling the flow of goods which have the potential for use in relation to weaponry which could be used against a country's own population or a neighbouring or other State.

In the Millennium Declaration of the UN, adopted on 8 September at the conclusion of the Millennium Summit, Heads of State or Government resolved to "minimise the adverse effects of United Nations economic sanctions on innocent populations, to subject such sanctions regimes to regular reviews and to eliminate the adverse effects of sanctions effects on third parties." We will be conscious of this solemn pledge by the leaders of the world at all times when sanctions issues are before the council.

There is an urgent need to identify how sanctions can be targeted effectively against regimes and organisations in flagrant breach of international law without causing unnecessary suffering. The Secretary-General of the UN has prioritised this issue and we will fully support his efforts.

I can assure the House that we are aware of the responsibility that Security Council membership gives Ireland to make a positive contribution to alleviating the burdens which are placed on innocent civilians by economic sanctions.