Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I attended the conference the first week when the delegates were trying to get consensus, which was achieved last July. I would like to acknowledge that almost 18 months ago many members here, and over 60 of our colleagues in the House, signed a declaration calling on the UN to adopt the arms trade treaty. This has now happened and I acknowledge the support of the Tánaiste and the Department of Foreign Affairs and our staff at the UN. I had a meeting with Ambassador Anne Anderson, Ireland's ambassador to the UN, and her officials who were directly involved in the discussions and negotiations. They were very supportive and watched carefully to ensure the arms trade treaty was not diluted during the consensus period.

As a consequence of the treaty not being agreed unanimously, it was put to a vote at the UN, where there were 154 votes in favour of it. Approximately 23 or 24 countries abstained from the vote and three countries voted against it, Syria, North Korea and Iran. I have raised the issue of Iran's vote against it with the Iranian ambassador. It is significant that only those three countries voted against it. However, there are issues in that some countries, such as China and Russia, which are significant arms exporters, abstained. On 3 June 2013, the treaty will be open for ratification at the UN and it is intended Ireland will be one of the first signatories to it. Over 50 signatories must be obtained before the treaty comes into effect. The more countries that sign up to it, the better it is and the more force the treaty will have.

Hopefully, Ireland will continue to play the constructive role it has played. All Members of the Houses and this committee should give the treaty our full backing.