Ireland welcomes the generally effective functioning of the protocol on environmental protection to the Antarctic treaty, known as the Madrid Protocol, which came into force on 14 January 1998 and which provides for the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems. The protocol designates Antarctica as a natural resource devoted to peace and science. It also prohibits mineral resource activity other than in the context of scientific research and sets out principles and measures for the planning and conduct of all activities in the Antarctic treaty area.