Vol. 420 No. 3
13 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in regard to his address to a special ecumenical service in St. Patrick's Cathedral on 17 April, he will confirm when it is expected that Ireland will be in a position to ratify the UN Convention against Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment; if he will outline the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The International Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted and opened for signature and ratification by the UN General Assembly in December 1984. It entered into force on 26 July 1987.
It is the Government's intention that Ireland will become a party to this Convention at the earliest possible opportunity. International treaties which the State intends to ratify are the subject of rigorous scrutiny and every possible precaution is taken to ensure that our obligations under the terms of such treaties are met in full on their entry into force.
Ireland has ratified a number of major international agreements on human rights in recent years — in particular, the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Optional Protocol thereto which allows individual human rights complainants recourse to the UN adjudication system, and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The question of signature of the Convention against Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment is at present under examination by the office of the Attorney-General.
I may add that the Government have been contributing since 1984 to the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. Despite current financial constraints, our contribution this year was raised from £2,000 to £3,500.
As indicated by the Minister, 1984 was the year in which the United Nations drafted this convention. What precisely is preventing the Government from signing this convention now, eight years later? Will the Minister outline any legislative changes required before we sign?
I am not certain if any legislative changes are necessary. I will have to communicate that information to the Deputy. The convention is under examination in the office of the Attorney General. I will communicate with him and determine if the matter can be expedited.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated that the convention was being examined by the Attorney General as a matter of priority. What precisely does that mean? How soon does the Minister expect the examination to be completed? If, as seems to be the case, no legislative change is required, what is causing the delay?
The matter is with the Attorney General's Office. I will communicate with him and express the desire of Deputies that it should be expedited. The Minister has indicated that already. At this stage it is a matter for the Attorney General's Office.
There is nothing holding it up.
Would the Minister not agree that Ireland does not have a very good record with regard to ratifying a number of United Nations conventions? We still have not ratified the UN Convention for Children. Are there any funding implications which might be holding up final ratification? The Minister should be able to tell us from his brief whether legislation is required. We are aware that the Children Act had to be amended in regard to the UN Convention for Children. Surely more is involved here than a delay in the Attorney General's office. Is there some reluctance on the part of Ireland to sign this convention because of practices in this country?
There is no reluctance on the part of Government. It is with the Attorney General's office for examination.
Since 1984.
Probably since 1989. A number of complicated instruments in the field of human rights were being examined from 1983 or 1984 and some of them have been implemented. I have listed those already. We will ask to have this matter expedited.
