A local TD and Junior Minister has used her first address to the Seanád to reinforce the State's position on the devastating nature of cluster bombs.
The issue was raised by Senator Alice Mary Higgins who urged the Government to engage with Lithuania who have recently withdrawn from an international agreement banning their use.
Representing the Government, Minister Marian Harkin responded to the issue, stating that Ireland remains fully committed to The Convention on Cluster Munitions signed in 2008 in Dublin that prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster bombs.
Russia, Ukraine and the USA did not sign the agreement and both regularly employ the weapons.
The Sligo Leitrim TD says that the ongoing war in Ukraine has greatly changed security concerns in Europe.
Minister Harkin says that while Lithuania made the decision in a democratic manner, she hopes no other states follow that decision:
