Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will move on to the fourth matter on our agenda, the arms trade treaty. The joint committee agreed last week to have a short discussion on this treaty. The recent adoption of the treaty by the UN General Assembly was a significant event, coming as it did after almost seven years of preparatory talks and two UN conferences. Ireland is a strong proponent of the treaty and was a co-sponsor of the resolution that resulted in its adoption. I understand the Government intends to press strongly for its early entry into force. Members of the committee have watched the adoption process keenly and would like the opportunity today to make some brief comments. Senator Walsh was at the meeting in New York and I invite him to speak briefly on this.