36 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the negotiations in Oslo on the draft anti-landmine treaty; when it is intended that Ireland will ratify the treaty; the Government's view of the refusal of the United States to sign the treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14719/97]

59 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, the Government has taken to secure the eradication of the use of landmines. [14602/97]

60 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the US authorities the failure of the United States to ratify the draft landmines treaty. [14737/97]

I propose to take questions Nos. 36, 59 and 60 together.

The agreement that was reached at the negotiations in Oslo on a global convention banning anti-personnel landmines represents a major step forward in the struggle to eliminate these inmhumane and indiscriminate weapons which have been a major scourge. It will be particularly welcomed by those countries which have suffered so much as a result of the use of these barbaric devices. Under the Convention, landmines will be banned without reservations, without exceptions and for all time.

I am particularly pleased with this development, as I have long advocated the abolition of these horrific weapons and while in opposition I tabled a Private Member's Bill aimed at banning these weapons. Since taking office I have set the conclusion of a global ban on landmines as the immediate priority of Irish disarmament policy.

The Convention agreed at Oslo enjoyed the support of more than one hundred participating delegations, including in particular the mine affected countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Ireland, together with a core group of nations including Canada, Austria, Mexico and South Africa, at the Oslo Conference played a key role in bringing about agreement on the Convention text.