asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Government will now sign and ratify the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters which was concluded in the framework of the Council of Europe; if not, why; and if he will make a statement explaining the extent of actual mutual assistance already given.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Convention Ratification.
28.
The question of becoming party to this Convention is under consideration. Legislation will first be necessary to make specific provision for some of the measures dealt with in the Convention which are not covered in the existing law.
At present our law provides for the furnishing of evidence in criminal proceedings to foreign courts under the Foreign Tribunals (Evidence) Act, 1956, as applied to criminal matters by section 24 of the Extradition Act, 1870, and under section 5 of the Extradition Act, 1873. In addition section 36 of the Extradition Act, 1965, provides for the seizure and handing over to a duly authorised person in a requesting country of property acquired as a result of an offence for which the offender is being extradited to that country. The Garda authorities also co-operate fully with Interpol in criminal matters.