Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
116 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the COARM committee’s review of the EU code of conduct of arms transfers, chaired by an official in his Department; the Government’s position on same;. [23179/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the code of conduct on arms exports, which was initiated during Ireland's Presidency of the EU, is taking account of developments since the code entered into force in 1998. In this respect, a number of proposals to strengthen and update it are being considered, including a proposal to reinforce the status of the code by transforming it into an EU common position, which would be legally binding. Ireland is supportive of such a reinforcement of the code. We believe that this, the first review of the code of conduct, is a very necessary and important undertaking for the EU.
Representatives from several EU member states, including Ireland, met with a number of non-governmental organisations, NGOs, last May to discuss and to exchange views on the ongoing review of the code. Ireland also circulated to our EU partners for consideration suggestions made by NGOs for possible improvements to the code.
The Netherlands has made the review of the code of conduct one of its priorities for its Presidency of the EU and in that context discussion continues in the forum of COARM, under Dutch chairmanship. The Netherlands, in association with NGO representatives, will be hosting an international conference in The Hague later this month to further consider the ongoing review of the code. Ireland will continue to participate actively in discussions on this matter at working group level within the EU.
