Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their statements and comments and I would like to address a number of points that have been raised in the debate. Ireland strongly believes the TPNW is an important and complementary contribution to the disarmament architecture and, in particular, believes it is fully compatible with the existing legal frameworks provided by the NPT and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The negotiating mandate for the conference that adopted the TPNW clearly set out that the new legal instrument to be adopted was to be complementary to a re-enforced NPT and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Ireland's approach to the negotiations was guided by this aspect of the mandate and we are satisfied the TPNW achieves this aim well. The NPT always envisaged a separate legal instrument to provide for nuclear disarmament and the TPNW is the first step in implementing the NPT's nuclear disarmament provisions. The interaction of the TPNW with the existing disarmament and non-proliferation architecture was a primary concern of many states during the negotiations and I am confident the TPNW has adequately addressed these issues by complementing and enhancing existing arrangements, while not creating parallel or competing structures. A number of like-minded states that are also not part of military alliances have signed and ratified the TPNW, such as Austria and New Zealand. However, some like-minded states have not signed it for now and national debates are taking place in some of these jurisdictions. It is the Government's hope that Ireland's completion of the legislative process and ultimate ratification of the treaty will serve to inspire other states to move forward to its signature and ratification. The TPNW is more than two thirds of the way towards the number of ratifications required for it to enter into force, the realisation of which would represent a significant step to a world free of nuclear weapons. At a time of increasing international tensions and as we see renewed concerns about proliferation, a renewed arms race and the destabilising effects of technological developments, the TPNW is a clear indication of the will of the majority of countries to add fresh momentum to achieve the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.

I want to give Senator Higgins the assurance she sought on the issue of Shannon Airport. On the specific issue of landings at the airport, the Department requires that permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft requesting permission to avail of facilities at Shannon Airport or at any other Irish airport and that they adhere to strict conditions. These conditions include stipulations that the aircraft is unarmed; it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; it must not engage in intelligence gathering; and it does not form part of any military operation or exercise. In considering requests for landings by foreign military aircraft, the Department's primary focus is on whether the flight in question complies with these conditions. On the Senator's specific question, there is no distinction made between states when it comes to the application of these criteria. They apply to all states.That should provide assurance.