Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is correct that Israel has 400 nuclear warheads; and if he will clarify his position on this matter. [14992/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Israel has never officially declared itself to possess nuclear weapons. It is one of just three states not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is acknowledged as a cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime and the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Ireland has a long and very close association with the NPT and, in national and EU statements, and also through our participation in the New Agenda Coalition, we have repeatedly called on all three states not party to the NPT to accede to the Treaty as non-nuclear weapons states and to conclude a full scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We will continue to do this. The Deputy can be assured that universal adherence to, and full implementation of, the NPT remain key foreign policy objectives for the Government as we enter the 2015 NPT review cycle, which will begin next month in Vienna.