asked the Minister for Lands if, as urged by the EEC, the Government have signed the two basic international conventions on bird protection.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bird Protection.
53.
(Cavan): I presume the Deputy is referring to the International Convention for the Protection of Birds signed in Paris in 1950 and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
The Ramsar Convention was signed by Ireland on 1st November last subject to ratification when the pending Wildlife Bill becomes law. The Paris Convention, in its existing format, gave rise to practical and administrative difficulties, as a result of which signature and ratification by a number of countries, including Ireland, has not proved feasible.