Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

——in terms of conflict resolution and humanitarian aid and so on. I accept the premise behind the Deputy's question in terms of the treaty and so on.

From our perspective, the European Union has been a major driver in getting the arms trade treaty to the point at which it is now. Only recently, the code of conduct of arms export was upgraded to the status of common position. This means that armament companies in the EU are already in compliance with one of the strictest export regimes in the world. Again, a whole range of separate criteria must be taken into account, including the effect an arms transfer could have on a country of final destination. European countries must abide by approximately eight criteria in this regard.

That said, the UK, which has a substantial Defence Ministry, has been to the fore on this issue. The defence industry in the UK supports the introduction of an arms trade treaty. We will work with our partners in Europe to achieve the strongest possible treaty but the talks will be complex and protracted. Some of the larger states——

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