John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

In the Minister's wide ranging speech he said there was a need for further restrictions on the use of cluster bombs. Is this not just a pious platitude? Should we not be calling for a ban on cluster bombs? Is it not the case that currently Irish troops are in Lebanon assisting Finnish troops in clearing up the more than 1 million cluster bombs there? Should we not learn from that experience? Is it not the case that cluster bombs are part of the arsenal of the new EU battle group? Looking at all the evidence, should the Minister not be much stronger in his comments and have a more defined goal? Should he not call for a ban on cluster bombs?

The Minister indicated that Ireland supports an arms trade treaty. This is welcome. Is it not the case that Amnesty International has produced a number of reports which show that Ireland is already involved in the arms trade through dual-use weaponry? Indeed, according to that organisation, we have become involved, through dual-use exports, in conflicts in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. Has the Minister spoken to his colleague, the Minister, Deputy Martin, about the arms brokering legislation which was promised for this autumn, although there is still no sign of it? Can the Minister discuss that legislation? This is an important issue for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I was amazed that there was no mention of Iraq in the Minister's speech. What is the Irish Government's position on Iraq? When 100,000 people protested in the streets of Dublin, the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, said Ireland opposed the war. Are we opposed to this futile war in Iraq and does the Minister believe the United States and its allies should withdraw?

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