I noted that the Minister viewed with concern, which I welcome, the stockpiling and movement of chemical weapons. At this stage when they are about to be moved I would like to ask the Minister if as a non-NATO member of the European Community we can bring every effort to bear on the other member states so that they will not allow their countries to be used for the stockpiling and updating of another malignant and incredibly stupid method of warfare?

What the Deputy has said about chemical warfare is absolutely correct. It is most regrettable that chemical weapons should have been used in the Gulf War in the last two years, for the first time since the First World War. It would be entirely inappropriate to discuss such a matter in the framework of political co-operation in Europe. It has no place there. What has a place is the condemnation of all forms of weaponry, whether they be conventional, nuclear or chemical weapons and an endeavour by a country like Ireland, hopefully supported by its partners, to make whatever political gestures are necessary to see that the level worldwide is reduced. The actual deployment of weapons is not a matter appropriate for discussion in the European Community.