Sir, - The Taoiseach, together with all the party leaders, has boldly proclaimed that where terrorism is concerned Ireland is not neutral. However, while we may not be neutral we certainly are negligent! The UN Secretary General in his recent speech to the General Assembly pointed out that "the United Nations has already in place conventions that provide the necessary legal framework for many of the steps to eradicate terrorism, including the prosecution of offenders and the suppression of money-laundering".
What are these conventions? Among their number are the following: The International Convention on the Taking of Hostages; the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist bombings; the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism; the Convention on the Statutes of Limitations and War Crimes; the Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Declaration recognising the International Court of Justice. None of the above conventions has been ratified by Ireland.
Would it not now be appropriate as Ireland occupies the chair of the Security Council to lead by example? A declaration by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowan, that Ireland undertakes to ratify all outstanding conventions related to the suppression of terrorism within the remaining life of this Government would be a fine start to a campaign to have the international community do likewise.
Not to do so is surely to undermine the very international laws which, as a member of the Security Council, Ireland is obliged to enforce. - Yours, etc.,
Justin Kilcullen, Director, Tr≤caire, Booterstown Avenue, Co Dublin.