THE Government has been urged to support a Fianna Fail private members' Bill for a unilateral ban on landmines.
The Bill, listed as a private members' motion in the Dail today, would give a clear signal that Ireland supported a comprehensive ban, according to Pax Christi's Irish section.
Last week, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, said the new UN agreement in Geneva on mines did not go far enough. However, the Government has not gone far enough, according to Mr Tony D'Costa of Pax Christi. Ireland was one of 40 countries calling for a ban but it must live up to this with legislation, he said.
A spokesman for the Tanaiste said Mr Spring had no objection in principle to the Bill but it was badly drafted. There was also a growing view that legislation might not be necessary to support a ban.