asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the Government's intention to adopt the United Nations covenant on civil and political rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
Written Answers. - Ratification of UN Covenant.
20.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland complies with Article 20 of the United Nations covenant on civil and political rights, being the article requiring States to have adequate legislation in force to control incitement to racial hatred.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and No. 24 together. Ireland is not yet a party to the international covenant on civil and political rights. The Government are committed to the earliest possible ratification of this covenant and the related international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights.
It has been the practice of successive Governments to ensure that our domestic legislation is in conformity with an international convention before proceeding to its ratification. We have been particularly concerned to ensure that this precondition should be met in relation to the two international human rights covenants.
In 1983, the Government accordingly established an interdepartmental committee under the chairmanship of the Attorney General to examine the obstacles in our domestic legislation to the ratification of the two covenants and to report to the Government. Following detailed examination of the report of the committee, the Government will shortly consider concrete proposals aimed at facilitating Ireland's ratification of these instruments. The Deputy may be assured, in so far as his question on Article 20 of the international covenant on civil and political rights is concerned, that the Government will fully consider this matter in its determination of the legislation required to enable Ireland to ratify the covenant. May I say that I hope we will be in a position to ratify these two covenants in the course of the coming year.