Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank all the Deputies who contributed for their constructive input. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Given recent events in North Korea, it is more urgent than ever that the international community does all it can to encourage further signature and ratification of the treaty.

The treaty will enter into force when the 44 countries it names have ratified it. It is important, given Ireland's long-standing position on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation that we have the necessary legislation in place to transpose the treaty. The comprehensive test ban treaty will make an important contribution towards preventing the proliferation of materials, technologies and knowledge that can be used for nuclear weapons — one of the most important challenges facing the world. The treaty verification system will also bring scientific and civil benefits, including tsunami warning systems and possibly other disaster alert systems through civil and scientific applications of wave form and radium technologies and use of data.

Many of the Deputies who have contributed would like me to respond, but we will hold over the responses to their questions for Committee Stage. I thank them for their constructive input to the debate.

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