Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Signing of Convention.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

125 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice if it is the intention of the Government that this country will sign the United Nations New York Convention on Recognition Abroad of Maintenance Orders to include non-European States.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

The Department of Justice are undertaking an overall review of arrangements with other States for the recovery of maintenance. In the context of this review consideration is being given to acceding to the United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance done at New York on 20 June 1956.

The review includes arrangements with EC States and negotiations are currently under way to draw up a new EC maintenance convention. Legislation is also being prepared to implement the 1988 Lugano Convention which,inter alia, would provide for the reciprocal recognition of maintenance orders with the member states of the European Free Trade Association. The possibility of some type of bilateral arrangements with certain non-European States is also being explored.