Trevor Sargent
Question:56 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the reason for Ireland's delay in ratifying the UN Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species in view of the fact that every other member state has ratified it.
Written Answers. - International Trade of Endangered Species.
Ireland signed the Convention in 1974 subject to ratification. Ireland fully intends to ratify the Convention and has informed the European Commission of this fact. Ratification of the Convention by Ireland is largely a technical matter since as the Deputy will be aware, Ireland fully observes the requirements of the CITES Convention. This in fact became legally binding on the European Community as a whole under E C Regulation 3626/82. There are concerns that there may be technical discrepancies between the terms of the Convention and some aspects of Irish Law. The matter is currently being examined. Once it is resolved ratification will proceed forthwith and a motion will be put before the Dáil to ratify the Convention.
I cannot give a precise time frame at this juncture for ratification but I would hope that the legal questions will be resolved as soon as possible.