Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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329. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the launching of a missile by North Korea on 12 February 2017 which landed in the waters between South Korea and Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8186/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The launch of a ballistic missile on 12 February 2017 by North Korea is a provocative and unacceptable act which threatens the peace and stability of the region. I expressed my condemnation of this act in a statement issued on 13 February 2017. Ireland’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva also issued a statement to the Conference on Disarmament condemning the act on 17 February 2017.

The launch constitutes a direct violation of North Korea’s international obligations under multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 2321 which was adopted in November 2016 and co-sponsored by Ireland.

I have repeatedly urged North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region. I have also called on North Korea to re-engage in credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community, in particular within the framework of the Six-Party Talks.

Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to monitor developments in the region closely.