Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I join with previous speakers in complimenting Deputy Timmins on bringing forward this important legislation. As Deputy Ring said, Deputy Timmins has served on a number of UN missions and has first-hand knowledge of the effects of cluster bombs on the ground. With that experience, he speaks with great authority on this subject. We are lucky to have somebody of his calibre and experience in the House because of his informed judgment on various international issues regarding UN missions.

As Deputy Timmins noted, cluster munitions are a large and growing problem. If their use continues to spread — if some countries have their way, this will happen — and the number of countries using them continues to grow, which is happening, they may become an even greater humanitarian and development challenge than anti-personnel mines were in the 1990s.

During the past 20 years, wars in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere have clearly demonstrated the unacceptable humanitarian consequences of this type of weapon, not only during wars but also long after armed conflicts have ended. We have seen many television programmes that dealt with the consequences of cluster munitions and we have seen how many people lost limbs, with families being destroyed while going about their daily business. The consequences are horrific.

Cluster munitions cover large areas and do not discriminate between civilians and military personnel. Depending on the type of munition, the size of the area they cover ranges from a few hundred metres to about 20 hectares. When people are being attacked, they are prepared for it but what is worse about cluster munitions is that they often produce a large number of duds, which can have horrific consequences. These remain lying on the ground, on roofs, in collapsed houses or even caught in trees and can have the same effect as anti-personnel mines.

The Minister has played a leading role internationally in his opposition to cluster bombs. Given that approximately 80 governments from all over the world will converge on Croke Park in May for the two-week conference, the Minister would be armed in some way if he accepted Deputy Timmins's legislation. He could point to the fact there is unanimity in the House on this issue and that the Opposition had brought forward a very good Bill, which the Minister was prepared to accept and move to Committee to be improved or refined. I am disappointed that as a pragmatist, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, could not accept the Bill proposed by Deputy Timmins. I accept the Minister is probably getting direction from somewhere. The Bill is well considered and thought through and would be very effective if implemented. It would also lead the way internationally and provide a basis for good and effective legislation.

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