Message from Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin T.D.

The Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions to negotiate a new instrument of international humanitarian law banning cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians will take place from 19-30 May 2008. This will be the critical stage in the process which began in Oslo in February 2007 and has continued in Lima in May 2007, Vienna in December 2007 and Wellington in February 2008.

The use of these weapons has terrible humanitarian consequences. It is my sincere hope that the outcome will be a Convention prohibiting the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. It is also especially important that the Convention establish a framework for cooperation and assistance that ensures adequate provision of care and rehabilitation to survivors and their communities, clearance of contaminated areas, risk education and destruction of stockpiles of prohibited cluster munitions.

I look forward to welcoming you to Dublin, and can assure you that the Irish Government will spare no effort in working with all participants to achieve a successful outcome.