Cluster Munitions, Landmines

We are proud that the text of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) was agreed at a diplomatic conference under Irish chairmanship in Dublin in May 2008. The Convention outlaws all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions in order to address the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused by their use. Ireland was among the first States to sign and ratify the Convention, which entered into force in 2010, and we are committed to its implementation.  As coordinator in 2012-2013 of work under the Convention on clearance and destruction of cluster munition remnants and risk reduction education, we worked hard to ensure progress on these important issues.

You can read the Conference's Final Document here.

Ireland was one of the core group of countries which led the work which resulted in the negotiation of the Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention (APLC) and was among the first States to sign and ratify it in December 1997. The Convention not only prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines, but also commits States to assist in the removal of mines from mine-affected lands.

Ireland is a strong supporter of civil society work to monitor the implementation of both the APLC and the CCM, supporting the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor (previously Landmine Monitor) since its establishment in 1998.

We have been an important supporter of humanitarian mine action since the early 1990s. Total Irish Aid expenditure on mine action in the period 2006 – 2012 amounted to over €25 million, including funding for work in Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Lao PDR, Mozambique, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.  Not only does this work prevent further casualties, it also allows land to be released for agriculture and business, directly contributing to longer-term stability and economic development.