Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State said that we do not have an arms industry, and I understand that. However, we are part of the EU and we signed up to the EU Common Position. In fact, together with Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, we had a resolution before the UN to cease the arms supply to this conflict. We are on the same side here, but that is not the question I am putting to the Minister of State. Specifically, what is Ireland doing to try to persuade some of our European colleagues such as Italy and France - we can leave the UK out of it for now - that continue to supply arms to Saudi Arabia and UAE? Other European countries have either declared a moratorium or have ceased supplying arms. How proactive are we in all this? How proactive are we in trying to ensure that this Common Position does what it says on the tin?

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