Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports from German news organisation, Der Speigel, which states that Germany is providing military submarines to Israel, which are capable of firing nuclear armed cruise missiles; and if he has raised this matter with the German Government. [44808/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Germany has, for historical reasons, a particularly strong commitment to the security of Israel. The Israeli navy operates three submarines bought from Germany, with a further two understood to be under construction. The report in Der Spiegel alleges that these submarines have been adapted to carry nuclear armed missiles. The Government has no means of assessing the truth of these allegations. Israel, of course, has consistently refused either to confirm or to deny that it possesses nuclear weapons. EU member states operate one of the strictest export control regimes for military equipment anywhere in the world, using a set of criteria set out in a 2008 Common Position. Each member state is responsible for adhering to these rules, and I expect them to do so.

Ireland strongly supports, and is working to advance, UN efforts to achieve a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. A major conference on this objective is due to take place in December in follow-up to the resolution agreed, and in the negotiation of which Ireland played a prominent role, at the 2010 NPT review conference. I hope very much that this can become a reality and that no Middle Eastern state will retain such weapons.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My concern about the report is that we see a further ratcheting up of the militarisation of the conflict in the region. The underlying worry is nuclear weapons. There are sanctions against the Iranian authorities in regard to the potential of nuclear weapons. There is a strong view around the world that the Israeli Government has nuclear weapons. I do not know the position of the Irish Government and whether it believes the Israeli Government has such weapons. Why would the Israeli Government need submarines? Will the submarines be used to establish further the illegal embargo in the state of Palestine? Does the Tánaiste believe such a military deal should have happened considering Israel's constant breaking of international law and human rights? Recently, 79 parliamentarians from across this island signed a petition opposing the blockage of Gaza. The Tánaiste is on record as saying the blockade should be lifted. The Israeli Government receives €3 billion worth of aid from the US, most of which is military. That the German Government appears to be supplying the submarines is ratcheting up the conflict in the area. Does the Tánaiste share those worries?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do share worries about the militarisation that is taking place in the Middle East. That is why we support the conference on a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in the Middle East which is due to take place in December. The conference facilitator, the Finnish Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Jaakko Laajava, has undertaken substantial consultations with all the states in the region in advance of convening the conference. These consultations are ongoing. It was Ireland that brokered the deal at the 2010 review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty which set out a number of practical steps to implement the 1995 resolution on a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in the Middle East. We are available and committed to assisting Mr. Laajava in any way we can in the lead up to and during the conference. The European Union will arrange a seminar in November as part of its activities in support of the conference, and Ireland will be represented and actively participate. There are European Union rules and a Common Position which define the rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment by member states. I expect all EU states will honour the terms of that Common Position.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While I am conscious the issue arises from a report in a news publication, I would appreciate it, if the opportunity arises when the Tánaiste meets his German colleague, if the Tánaiste would express concern in respect of the report on the basis of the ratcheting up of conflict in the area. I wish the December conference well. This part of the world is crying out for solutions. I accept the Government has been positive in its role in this area. This is a retrograde step by the German Government. Whatever about the historical involvement of the Germans supporting the Israelis in respect of their existence, this is a negative step. I am appalled they have gone down this route and that the submarine will be used as part of the illegal embargo. I have no doubt once submarines are commissioned, they will be used, possibly against Irish citizens trying to break the embargo.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Tánaiste is aware that by 2003, only three of the 193 member states of the UN were not signatories to the nuclear non-proliferation agreement, The three who were not signatories were Israel, Pakistan and India, all of whom possess nuclear weapons and who have been rewarded rather than punished for same. Israel receives more American economic and military aid per capita than any other state, yet the watchdogs of the International Atomic Energy Agency appear to turn a blind eye to it.

It is frightening that Germany does not appear to be concerned about the consequences of its policy in providing hardware that could be used for atomic purposes. Under Germany's own guidelines, it is not supposed to export to a state where there is a crisis. Surely, we must agree there is a crisis in the Middle East and Israel is at the centre of it. The Minister said he is not in favour of a boycott of Israeli goods, but he is in favour of boycotting Iran. Despite its denials, we know Israel is in possession of nuclear weapons, but we do not know if Iran is in possession of such weapons. I do not say we should not boycott Iran, but there should be a boycott of Israel. Deputy Smith made a similar call today. In 2009, the Tánaiste called for a suspension of the Euro Mediterranean Agreement with Israel in view of the Goldstone report. It would be good to see some consistency. It is not good enough for us to turn a blind eye to what Germany is doing.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No one is turning a blind eye to anything. There is a European Union Common Position in respect of the export from all the member states of equipment for military purposes. The armaments companies in the European Union must comply with one of the strictest export control regimes in the world. There are eight separate criteria. They take into account the effect that any arms transfer could have on the country of final destination. The factors assessed include the human rights situation on the ground, the existence of tensions or armed conflict, the preservation of regional peace, the question of whether the export could affect sustainable development of the importing state, the risk of exported military technology or equipment being diverted within the buyer country or re-exported under undesirable conditions. The operation of that Common Position is kept under constant review by member states in light of changing circumstances and individual buyer countries. Ireland strongly supports the Common Position and we expect it to be fully implemented by all member states. I assure Deputies that, in our discussions with our EU partners, I will continue to make that position clear. The Common Position applies to all member states. When the EU has agreed a Common Position, all member states ought to comply with it.