asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has extradition treaties with all countries in Western Europe; and if not, if he has any plans to improve the situation.
40.
Written Answers. - Extradition Treaties.
28.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries, if any, in Western Europe with whom we do not have extradition treaties; and if there are such countries, the steps he is taking to rectify the situation.
I propose to take questions Nos. 28 and 40 together.
Ireland's extradition arrangements with most countries in Western Europe are governed by the European Convention on Extradition to which Ireland and 18 other countries are party. These countries are: Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
Belgium, Malta, Portugal and Britain are not parties to this Convention.
Both Belgium and Portugal have signed the Convention but have not at yet ratified it.
I understand Portugal is, at present, completing its parliamentary procedures to enable it to become a party.
In the case of Belgium, we have been in negotiation with the Belgian authorities on the terms of a bilateral extradition treaty within the last few years. The negotiation of the text has been undertaken in a series of meetings and through subsequent correspondence but the final text has not yet been agreed. Consideration of the text is continuing.
As Deputies will be aware extradition arrangements with Britain are governed by Part III of the Extradition Act, 1965.
Ireland's extradition arrangements in Europe are therefore extensive.