Ireland must sign Antarctic Treaty Now

Green Party Senator Malcolm Noonan is calling on the Government to stick to their commitment to sign the Antarctic Treaty.

Since 1991, the treaty, which was signed into force in 1961, includes a protocol that designates Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science and prohibits activities relating to its mineral resources for anything other than scientific research. 

Speaking in the Seanad earlier today, Senator Noonan called on the Government to progress Ireland’s participation in the Antarctic Treaty System:

“In light of the US administration’s recent brazen and imperialist attempt to take over Greenland and exploit resources there, particularly rare earth minerals, but also oil reserves, I think that Ireland as a peaceful nation, a respected neutral country, could not only benefit from becoming a signatory to the treaty, but could also provide an invaluable contribution to the aspiration and the ambition of this unique treaty”.

He also acknowledged the special place that the continent has in Irish culture saying:

“Ireland has a rich heritage of Antarctic exploration with Sir Ernest Shackleton and the legendary exploits of Tom Crean being among the most memorable, and we owe to their legacy and all of the Irish explorers and scientists who have contributed to our ever-expanding knowledge of this great continent, to sign the Atlantic Treaty.”