Michael Mulcahy (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

I join my colleagues in genuinely congratulating Deputy Timmins and the Fine Gael Party on introducing this Bill. I do not believe there is one person in the House who disagrees with the spirit of the intention behind it.

During the previous Dáil, I had the honour to be a member of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. One of my principal interests was the subject of nuclear non-proliferation. Those who know their history are aware that Ireland was the first country to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, NPT, in 1973. In the recent past, when the Tánaiste, Deputy Cowen, held the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ireland was a leading light in the New Agenda Coalition, which has sought to bring parties together and expedite a further enactment of something similar to the NPT.

Previous speakers referred to the fact that Ireland was one of the first signatories to the Ottawa Convention on landmines. Ireland, therefore, has a strong and noble tradition in the fight against terribly harmful, evil, destructive weapons. Any efforts, regardless of the side of the House from which they come, directed against such weapons are very much to be commended.

I need not rehearse the facts relating to the May conference. This is not a simple area of law and it will not be easy to obtain agreement on the remaining aspects relating to it. The legislation that is eventually enacted — a group is engaged in work on it at present — will include provisions relating to the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions, the giving of assistance to victims of cluster munitions, the clearance of areas contaminated by unexploded cluster munitions and assistance in the destruction of stockpiles of cluster munitions. Some of the generous foreign aid we provide could be used in this area.

The Bill has a number of flaws. It is too narrow in its focus and the definition of trade contains words which do not suit their purpose. There is a need for much more comprehensive legislation. I do not agree with the notion that every bank should be obliged to submit a report at the end of the year to the effect that it has complied with the law. The law is the law. I do not submit to any authority at the end of each year stating that I have complied with the law. If trade in and use of these munitions is illegal, it should be taken as read that financial and other institutions are obeying the law. I would not support creating new elements of bureaucracy merely for the sake of doing so.

This is an important debate. I hope it helps bring to the attention of the public the fact that this matter is at the top of this Administration's agenda and not just by reason of the programme for Government. As already indicated, Ireland's role in nuclear non-proliferation and its involvement with the Ottawa Convention on landmines show that successive Fianna Fáil Governments, and other Administrations, have been absolutely committed to the fight against not only nuclear weaponry but other types of inhuman and destructive weapons. I welcome the opening of the debate. The Government amendment proposing that we adjourn this for nine months is eminently reasonable.

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