Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:174 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedures in place to implement the Ottowa agreement on landmines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6417/03]
Written Answers - International Agreements.
The Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction was opened for signature on 3 December 1997. Ireland was one of first three States to sign and ratify it on 3 December 1997.
The convention obliges states parties to forswear anti-personnel landmines and to destroy their stockpiles as well as all anti-personnel landmines in mined areas.
At the time the convention was opened for signature, Government policy that the Defence Forces would not use anti-personnel mines on any military operation was already well established. In addition, the Explosives (Land Mines) Order 1996 provided that "no person shall manufacture, keep, import into the State, convey or sell any land mine." The definition of a "landmine" provided in the Order was wider than the definition of "anti-personnel landmine" provided by the Convention.
Article 9 of the Convention requires states parties to prevent and suppress any activity undertaken by persons on its territory which is prohibited to a state party under the Convention.
The question of whether the legislative provisions mentioned above need to be strengthened in this regard is being considered by my Depart ment and the Department of Defence in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 138.