THE GOVERNMENT intends legislating for a domestic ban on cluster munitions, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern told the Dáil.
"This legislation will not just prohibit the use and stockpiling, the production and transfer of munitions, but I believe will go further," he said.
Mr Ahern said that he did not want to rush the legislation. "I want a legislative template for other nations." The Minister added that the legislation would contain provisions for assistance to victims of cluster munitions, and for the clearance of areas contaminated by unexploded munitions.
"I want this dealt with in a very comprehensive way, one that will show to other nations our determination to rid the world of these munitions," he said.
Mr Ahern said that Ireland had never possessed cluster munitions, nor did it intend to.
"We are, therefore, not in the situation of a number of other states who have adopted national prohibitions," he added.
He said he was pleased to acknowledge the revulsion of all parties in the House on the promotion of cluster munitions.
"I want to say bluntly in this House that no public funds should be invested in these cluster munitions," Mr Ahern added.
The Minister was responding to a Fine Gael Bill calling for a ban on investment in cluster munitions.
Party foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins, who moved the Bill in private members' time, said that it was the first of its kind to go further than the international consensus and target cluster munitions at their source, which was funding.
"It is of the utmost importance that it is passed by the House, as I believe it will strengthen Ireland's position in the upcoming international conference . . . in Croke Park," said Mr Timmins.
"Many countries who have signed up to the Oslo accord have taken unilateral measures and these all have aided in the fight against cluster munitions." The Bill, Mr Timmins added, outlawed public investment in the trade of "these abhorrent killing devices" as well as requiring banks and other lending institutions to provide reports confirming they had not invested in cluster bombs.
"The Fine Gael Bill is comprehensive, detailed and, in my opinion, cannot be improved upon," said Timmins.
"If the Government feels they have problems with the details, I urge them to amend it at committee stage and vote in favour of it in the Dáil tomorrow night. To do otherwise would be a major disappointment to say the least."
Labour foreign affairs spokesman Michael D Higgins said there should be a universal ban with no exceptions.
Debate on the Bill continues tonight.
