Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I share fully the concerns of the Deputy about the impact of arms transfers on human rights in conflict areas. The programme for Government commits us to supporting a binding and comprehensive global treaty on the trade of arms covering all weapons and ammunition.

At the United Nations, Ireland has been actively promoting the idea of an arms trade treaty to secure agreement on common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. Last October we co-sponsored a resolution at the General Assembly which agreed the establishment of a working group to consider the elements that might be included in a legally binding treaty.

The first meeting of the group will take place next month in New York and officials from my Department will be actively involved. A key priority for Ireland in this process will be to ensure our long-standing commitment to the principles of humanitarian law and individual human rights is reflected in the final outcome. Achieving an arms trade treaty is also a priority for the European Union and we have been working closely with our partners to advance the prospects for agreement. The European Union is now preparing to hold a number of regional seminars in various parts of the world to highlight the necessity of securing an effective arms trade treaty. Although negotiation on this issue is likely to be complex and protracted, we are determined to remain fully focused on achieving a successful outcome.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the vital role which representatives of the NGO community such as Amnesty International and their partners in the control arms campaign have played in taking forward the proposal for an arms trade treaty. I look forward to maintaining close co-operation with them as we move ahead in this process.

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