asked thew Minister for the Environment the reason Ireland has not yet signed the Council of Europe Convention on a European Charter for Local Self-Government; when the Convention was opened for signature; if he proposes to introduce legislation to ratify this Convention; the advantages of this Convention for Ireland and Europe; the countries which have ratified it; and if he will make a statement on any reservations Ireland has about the Convention from a cost or other point of view.
Written Answers. - Council of Europe Convention.
227.
The Convention was opened for signature in October 1985 and it has been ratified by the following countries — Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain and Sweden. The position, in so far as this country is concerned, is as I outlined in my reply to Question No. 188 on 25 January 1989.