David Norris (Independent)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 4, subsection (1), line 36, after "Schedule 1" to insert the following:

", but Article 21(3) of the said Convention may not be relied on by the State".

This is a critical amendment. I can anticipate the answers I will get, which would not be difficult since I read the debate and also heard the Minister of State speak on Second Stage. It is abhorrent that, having condemned cluster munitions and having put on the record the appalling consequences of them, we would still support and give succour to those who continue to use these barbarous weapons. We will be tainted and implicated in it if we permit our Defence Forces to participate in military operations of this kind. It is not acceptable.

Notice should be clearly served to those other groups. That would be a good way of encouraging them to come in under the umbrella of the convention, namely, if we said we would not co-operate with them if they use these weapons. That is a position I hold very firmly.