THE Government is to make an order under which manufacturing landmines will become a criminal offence.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, also said that during its EU presidency, Ireland would endeavour to pursue enhanced action on anti personnel landmines.

"We are acting now, within the framework of laws already available, to place a legal ban for all time on the manufacture, use or export of these evil weapons" he said.

Mr Spring was speaking during private members' time on a Fianna Fail Bill to outlaw the manufacture of landmines in the State.

The party's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Ray Burke, said that in countries such as Afghanistan, Cambodia, Mozambique band now in the former Yugoslavia, men, women and children were being blown up while collecting firewood, fetching water and tending cattle.

In some countries, landmines had become the biggest obstacle to development, destroying the very fabric and infrastructure of society.

"Economic reconstruction the return and rehabilitation of refugees, resettlement of internally displaced people, and post conflict development of society all become an impossible task." A mine could be as cheap as $3 to make but to remove it could cost between $300 and $1,000.

There was now a growing understanding among military personnel that landmines should be banned. Ireland was in an ideal position to take a leadership role. NGOs including Trocaire, Goal, Concern, Pax Christi, Earthwatch and Action Aid had vigorously promoted a unilateral ban and had urged the Government to consider this seriously.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines, representing over 500 organisations in 30 countries, had tirelessly promoted a unilateral ban. The international campaign and the Red Cross described new rules adopted by a conference in Geneva recently at which 55 countries, including Ireland, were represented, as "woefully inadequate".

Ms Joan Burton, Minister of State to Foreign Affairs, said the "outcome of international efforts to ban landmines was disappointing" but the campaign had moved forward.

"Ireland's leading and unequivocal position has been effective in giving pace and momentum for the movement for a total ban. I intend to continue to take a leading position on this issue in every available international forum."

Current legislation in Ireland ensured that manufacture and export of landmines could not take place without a licence. The Fianna Fail Bill, while well intentioned, did not provide any further safeguards. The package proposed by the Government - an order under the Explosives Act and a comprehensive policy review by the Department of Defence - would be much more effective, and she hoped the Opposition would accept it.

Ms Kathleen Lynch (DL, Cork North Central), welcoming the Government's announcement said there was no point in cluttering the legislative programme when the same result could be more easily achieved.

Mr Des O'Malley (PD) said what the Tanaiste had proposed was adequate to cover the situation.

On a vote, the Fianna Fail Bill was defeated by 68 votes to 58.