Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 158: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the implications for Ireland of the building of a strategic missile defence system in Poland, into which the United States Government is to invest approximately US$4 million in preparation for its opening in 2011 or 2012. [38397/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are no direct implications for Ireland with regards to the building of a strategic missile defence system in Poland.

The European Union does not have an agreed position on Missile Defence, a matter on which it has no competence as regards the decisions of individual member states and which is more appropriate for discussion within NATO.

From a national perspective however, Ireland's position in relation to missile defence systems is clear. We believe that the development of such systems can have many negative consequences, including creating or aggravating missile arms races. The most effective way to tackle missile proliferation and the attendant threats is to engage in serious work in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation. Ireland has traditionally played a very active role in such efforts, particularly within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and elsewhere.

Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 148.