Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to seek a more peaceful world by offering Ireland's support, and campaigning, for a strong international arms treaty to stop irresponsible arms transfers with a view that such be universally enacted by 2012; the position he will take on this at the first committee meeting of the UN in order to support the conclusion of an arms trade treaty by 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37039/09]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans regarding the negotiation on a strong international arms treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37040/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government has been working towards a binding and comprehensive global treaty on the arms trade, covering all weapons and ammunition. At the United Nations, Ireland has been actively promoting the proposal for an Arms Trade Treaty to secure agreement on common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. In October 2008 we co-sponsored a resolution at the General Assembly which led to the establishment of a Working Group to consider the elements that might be included in a legally binding Treaty. That Group in turn met in March and July of this year in New York. Officials from my Department played an active role in proceedings, and took the opportunity to explain to other UN Member States both the high priority which Ireland attaches to achieving an Arms Trade Treaty, and the specific elements which we believe it should take account of. Following on from those meetings, Ireland, along with its EU partners, concluded that we should now take the next step in this process and proceed to full negotiations on a Treaty. Currently, the First Committee of the UN General Assembly is considering a resolution to establish a United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty. It is planned that negotiations on a Treaty would be conducted at this Conference in 2012. The Resolution also directs that five preparatory meetings be held prior to the Conference in the period 2010 to 2012. While this resolution has not yet been finalised, it seems clear that the formal negotiation of a Treaty will begin in 2012. Matters such as the agenda and rules of procedure of the Conference will be considered at the preparatory meetings. The Deputy can be assured that Ireland will continue to advocate for the strongest possible Arms Trade Treaty, and to work towards that end.