Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 4

Written Answers. - Racial Discrimination Elimination.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

77 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Government intend ratifying the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination; whether legislation is necessary to enable ratification; and if so, when such legislation will be published and circulated.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

Ireland is a signatory to the United Nations International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination but has not become a party to this instrument pending completion of a detailed scrutiny of the legislative and other implications of ratification which is at present underway.

Priority has been given in this scrutiny to matters arising in the context of the ratification of the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This has now been completed and Ireland ratified both Covenants and the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on 8 December 1989. The examination of what legislative or other measures may be necessary to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination is expected to be completed shortly and I will then bring the question to Government for decision.