Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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105. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resources that have been allocated to ensure appropriate enforcement of the provisions of the Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Act 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25800/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Act 2008 gives effect to the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). Our membership of international instruments, such as the CCM, is of course a matter the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Ireland maintains a strong and unwavering commitment to, and is proactively engaged with, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which was adopted in Dublin in 2008. Ireland is engaged in a whole-of-government approach to ensure the global norm against these weapons is upheld. In line with our obligations under these conventions, Ireland continues to discourage all actors, including those not party to these Conventions, to refrain from using, developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, retaining or transferring directly or indirectly, cluster munitions or anti-personnel mines to other States, including through bilateral engagements. Furthermore, Ireland provides annual voluntary financial contributions to the implementation support units (ISU) of both conventions, to ensure their effective functionality.

In 2023, Ireland contributed €20,000 to the APMBC, and €24,300 to the CCM, respectively. In 2022, Ireland successfully hosted the endorsement conference for a Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA), a declaration which now has endorsement from 87 states.

The Deputy will also be aware that the distribution of Garda resources is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I cannot direct the Commissioner to dedicate resources to enforce any particular piece of legislation. I am assured by the Commissioner that Garda resources and enforcement of all legislation is kept under constant review, in light of operational needs and trends.

I can also advise the Deputy that Ireland was one of the first states to ratify the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction in December 1997. Under the terms of that Convention, only a minimal stock is retained for the purposes of training and research in mine clearance techniques. Defence Force Tactical Doctrine has been amended to prohibit the use of anti-personnel mines.

The Defence Forces are also fully compliant with the Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mine Act 2008. I am further advised that Corps of Engineers personnel regularly provide courses on Defence Forces Tactical Doctrine on the prohibition of Cluster and Anti-personnel mines.