Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and my colleagues for their detailed and efficient consideration of the legislation. As the Minister of State said, this country has a long and proud record in working towards the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons. Going back to 1958, led by the then Minister Frank Aiken, Ireland introduced the first of what became known as the Irish resolutions at the United Nations which eventually led to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons which has become the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament. The treaty is the most widely recognised agreement on nuclear disarmament. As has been said, with so much uncertainty throughout the world, this is an issue that must continually be addressed by the international community. The Bill is an important measure and we are glad to be able to facilitate its passage. I thank members for their co-operation.