Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
138 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any discussions with his British counterpart in view of the publication of the Sipri Report on nuclear proliferation in view of the geographic proximity to this island and British nuclear policy. [30336/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTheSIPRI Yearbook 2012, to which the Deputy is referring, has not yet been published in full and I cannot therefore comment on its content.
Ireland has never subscribed to the view that nuclear weapons represent a safe or prudent strategic deterrent, and will continue to press the five nuclear weapons states to fulfil their obligation to disarm their nuclear arsenals.
The UK is entitled to take decisions as to how it will defend itself. However, the UK authorities will be aware of Ireland's longstanding position, to which we are equally entitled, on nuclear disarmament. The Deputy can be assured that we will continue to make the UK authorities, and indeed all nuclear weapons possessor states, aware of our position.
