Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the issue of supply and sale of arms by European Union Members to conflict zones in Africa has been discussed at the General Council of Foreign Ministers; if the volume of such trade is as estimated; and the conclusions which have been arrived at. [25246/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There has been no recent discussion on the sales of arms to Africa at the General Affairs and External Relations Council but the European Council, at its meeting on 15-16 December 2005, adopted an EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. While this Strategy has a global geographic scope, it identifies Africa as the continent most affected by the impact of internal conflicts aggravated by the destabilising influx of small arms and light weapons.

There have been various estimates by a number of organisations as to the volume of exports of arms to Africa but there is broad agreement as to its impact. The EU Strategy, for example, notes that besides the humanitarian effects, the consequences of the abundance of small arms and ammunition in terms of development are well documented viz the weakening of State structures, displacement of persons, collapse of health and education services, the spread of pandemics, damage to the social fabric and, in the long term, the reduction or withholding of development aid. It is acknowledged that this trend mainly affects sub-Saharan Africa and is a key factor in limiting development.

At present, the export of all arms from EU countries must conform to the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. Ireland was actively involved in the establishment of this politically binding code, which lists the factors to be taken into account when deciding whether to allow an export of military goods. These include respect for human rights, the internal situation in the country of final destination and the preservation of regional peace, security and stability. Discussions are ongoing in the EU on the possible reinforcement of the Code of Conduct.

The promotion and support of international efforts to secure appropriate safeguards on the sale and transfer of armaments is a key priority of Irish foreign policy. There are too many examples of conflicts which are fuelled by the proliferation of conventional weapons. This is especially an issue of concern in Africa, where the proliferation in particular of small arms and light weapons continues to bring much suffering to societies throughout that continent.