Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I am absolutely assured this is a standard provision in all legislation involving a criminal offence. The more important point is that given Ireland's rejection of nuclear as a source of energy, and that nuclear medicine and industrial uses represent the main applications of nuclear materials in Ireland, it is reasonable to say it is extremely unlikely that this Bill, when enacted, will ever come into play in Ireland. We can all hope it will never come into play. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is the regulator for all uses of radioactive materials in Ireland, and all such users must operate under a licence from the institute.

The costs to Ireland associated with implementing the treaty are relatively low. None of the treaty organisation's monitoring stations will be in Ireland, and given the absence of a nuclear industry here, it is not expected that Ireland will receive any inspections.

The main cost to Ireland is approximately €300,000 per year, which is our share of the establishment and running costs of the treaty organisation. The actual amount is decided in accordance with the UN scale of assessment used for determining states' contributions to UN bodies.

I should emphasise that the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is a central international instrument in preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons. The implementation of a ban on testing nuclear devices and establishment of an effective mechanism to monitor the ban would add to all our security and that of the world.

The transposition of this treaty into Irish law is entirely appropriate. It is consistent with our current and historic position on the nuclear issue. It is consistent with the view that has been taken by every Government of any shade here, and it is certainly consistent with the views of the vast majority of Members, currently serving or who have ever served, in this House. Ireland's transposition will not in itself trigger the coming into effect of the treaty. It will ensure Ireland is in a position to discharge its obligations under the treaty and will give us the moral right to request others who are perhaps not so far-sighted to get into line.

This Bill is straightforward and strictly non-contentious dealing with a subject on which there is the widest cross-party support. Its enactment will be in line with Ireland's strong stance on nuclear disarmament and our historic contribution on non-proliferation. I hope our transposition of the treaty into Irish law will serve as an encouragement to other states to ratify it and accelerate its entry into force. I therefore commend the Bill to the House.

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