The Labour Party today called on Ireland to lead the global campaign to ban cluster bombs.
Cluster bombs, which splinter into smaller bombs, are blamed by human rights experts for killing or injuring civilians indiscriminately.
Labour’s international affairs spokesman, Michael D. Higgins, said: “Ireland has an opportunity to position itself to the forefront of the campaign to completely outlaw cluster munitions of all kinds. These are particularly pernicious and evil weapons.”
Ireland is among a growing number of countries - such as Austria, New Zealand and Norway - that are leading opposition to the controversial bombs.
The Dáil will debate a Fine Gael Bill on the issue today and tomorrow ahead of a major international summit in Croke Park next month. The May 19th-30th conference will be hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, and delegates will prepare an agreed text for an international convention banning the use of the bombs.
It is believed that up to 138 nations support a prohibition of the production or use of the munitions. Last October Mr Ahern lobbied on the issue at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Mr Higgins said the Government should ban cluster bombs before the conference takes place in Dublin as a positive signal to the international community.
He also called on the Cabinet to uphold the principle of interoperability - that is that no Irish troops work in partnership with troops of a country that continues to defend the use of the bombs.
PA