Ireland has expressed outrage at the launch of a long-range rocket by North Korea.
Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has added his voice to the growing number of expressions of condemnation.
In a hard-hitting statement Mr Flanagan described the move by Pyongyang as irresponsible and said it posed a serious threat to peace.
Mr Flanagan said: “The launch using ballistic missile technology conducted earlier today by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a serious and direct threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
“It is a flagrant violation of North Korea’s international obligations as set out in several UN Security Council resolutions.
“I condemn these actions unequivocally and once more call on the DPRK to refrain from any action that could further increase tension or destabilise the region and to comply fully with its international obligations.
“These irresponsible actions demonstrate once again the urgent need for engagement on nuclear disarmament by all stakeholders.
“I urge the North Korean authorities to cease all nuclear testing and to re-engage with the six-party talks on the de-nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, immediately and without preconditions.”
