Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I understand the Democratic Republic of North Korea has given an undertaking to China that it will not proceed with further action.

It is simplistic to state that Ireland should lead the way. Ireland is one of a number of countries to the fore as regards adherence to the non-proliferation treaty and trying to persuade the international community as a whole to continue on the track of non-proliferation and disarmament. This can only be achieved in conjunction with other like-minded countries. I accept that certain countries want to have it both ways. In my statements to the review conference and the United Nations, I did not put a tooth in my statement that some of the countries that wish to ensure there is non-proliferation are, at the same time, not prepared to disarm.

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