Minister Ahern Dermot Ahern T.D. - Ireland Demands Global Action On Small Arms Trade

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D., has demanded action to deliver on a comprehensive international Arms Trade Treaty.

The Minister said:

“The promotion and support of international efforts to secure appropriate safeguards on the control of arms is a key priority of Irish foreign policy. We fully support the restrictions called on by Amnesty International and NGOs.

“Yesterday marked the start of the Review Conference on the 2001 UN Programme of Action on small arms and light weapons in New York. The Conference will provide an opportunity to review progress over the last five years and to further strengthen controls to eradicate the illicit trade in small arms, which is responsible for the deaths of 500,000 people annually, of which 300,000 are civilians. Violent death on such a scale has serious humanitarian and socio-economic consequences and causes major damage to peace, stability and sustainable development.

“We want a positive outcome to the review conference which will generate the right environment for the future discussion of an international Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations General Assembly later this year.  Ireland, with its EU partners, fully supports the negotiation of such a Treaty”

ENDS +++
27 June 2006
Press Office