asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the matters that are covered by diplomatic immunity in so far as diplomatic delegations accredited to this country are concerned; and if any changes in the regulations concerning such activities have been made in recent times.
Written Answers. - Diplomatic Immunity.
321.
The question of diplomatic immunity is governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. This convention was given the force of law in the State by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act of 1967 and Amendment of 1976. The convention has not been subsequently amended.
The Act provides, inter alia, that diplomats and their family members enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the State. They also enjoy immunity from our civil and administrative jurisdiction with certain qualifications. Administrative and technical staff and their families enjoy the same immunities except that they only have immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction only for acts performed during the course of their duties. Service staff have immunity from the criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction only for acts performed during the course of their duties.
The Act also provides that the immunities described above may be waived, but this must be at the express request of the embassy.