asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of international agreements finalised and issued under the Hague Convention of which Ireland is a member; the various issues covered by these agreements; the reason Ireland has ratified so few of the agreements; his proposals with regard to the outstanding agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hague Convention Agreements.
38.
The Statute of the Hague Conference on Private International Law which entered into force on 15 July 1955 created an international organisation. It now comprises 36 members, including Ireland. The purpose of the conference, which is financed by the contributions of the member states, is to achieve the progressive harmonisation of the rules of private international law.
There are now 31 multilateral conventions which have been drawn up under the auspices of the Hague Conference. Of these 31 only 19 have entered into force.
The issues covered by the various conventions include the following topics: civil procedures, sales of goods, transfer of title to property, national law versus law of domicile, recognition of companies, maintenance of children, protection of minors, legalisation, adoption, service of documents abroad, choice of court in bi-lateral disputes, enforcement of judgments, jurisdiction, form of testamentary dispositions, divorce, traffic accidents, taking of evidence, administration of estates, products liability, matrimonial property, marriage, agency, child abduction, access to justice, trusts, sales contracts, successions — applicable law.
Ireland is a party to the Convention on the Conflicts of Laws relating to the form of testamentary dispositions. This convention was adopted on 5 October 1961, was acceded to without reservation on behalf of Ireland on 3 August 1967 and entered into force for the State on 2 October 1967.
None of the areas covered by the Hague Conventions falls directly within the areas of responsibility of my Department. I am informed however that in the case of many of these conventions, legislation would be required before the State could become a party. I understand that consideration is being given to such legislation in certain cases and that some of the topics are also being considered by the Law Reform Commission.