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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 3

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

223 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposed international agreements under the auspices of his Department which are currently being drafted or prepared; and the international organisation, if any, responsible for the proposed agreement in each case. [19428/96]

I am currently in the process of negotiating a film co-production agreement with Australia and I hope that these negotiations will be completed very soon.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

224 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the international agreement under the auspices of his Department which, as of 1 January 1996, have been signed by the State but have not been ratified; the international organisation, if any, responsible for the agreement in each case; the date and place each agreement was adopted or opened for signature; the date it was signed by the State; whether it is proposed to ratify each agreement; and if so, when. [19447/96]

The information sought by the Deputy regarding international treaties which have been signed but not ratified is as follows: Washington Convention — Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This convention was opened for signature in March 1973 in Washington DC and Ireland signed in 1974. It is administered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources on behalf of the United National Environment Programme.

This convention cannot be ratified until amendments to the Wildlife Act, 1976, which I propose to introduce in the next session, have been enacted. However, the provisions of the Convention have been implemented by EU Directive 3626/82, which is in the course of amendment by the EU. Convention on Biological Diversity. This convention was opened for signature on the occasion of the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 and Ireland signed at that time. The Government recently approved proposals to proceed with the ratification of this convention. A motion will shortly be presented to Dáil Éireann for its approval to the terms of the convention.

Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe. This convention was opened for signature by the Council of Europe at Granada, Spain, in October 1995 and Ireland signed at that time. Consideration of the measures necessary for ratification is well advanced and I am hopeful that this convention will be ratified in 1996. Convention for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage of Europe. This convention was opened for signature by the Council of Europe at Valetta, Malta, in January 1992 and Ireland signed at that time. The measures necessary for ratification to take place are under examination and it is hoped that ratification will be possible within the next 12 months. Convention and Protocol for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of armed conflict. This convention was adopted at the Hague in May 1954 and Ireland signed at that time. The question of ratifying the convention is under review in my Department.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

225 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the international agreements under the auspices of his Department which, as of 1 January 1996, have not been signed by the State and which it is proposed that the State should sign or become a party to; the international organisation, if any, responsible for the agreement in each case; the date and place each agreement was adopted or opened for signature; and when it is proposed to sign each agreement or become a party to it. [19462/96]

The following is the information sought by the Deputy:

Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds

This agreement was drawn up in 1995 in accordance with the United Nations Environmental Programme under Article IV (3) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention). The agreement was opened for signature in the Hague on 16 October 1995. Arrangements are at present being made for Ireland to sign this agreement in the very near future.

The European Convention on Transfrontier Television

This convention was opened for signature by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 5 May 1989. The legal implications of the signature and ratification of the convention by Ireland are under examination at present. As soon as this examination is complete the process of signature and ratification will be put in train.

The European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages

This charter was opened by the Council of Europe for signing on 5 November 1992. No decision has been taken to date on whether Ireland will sign this charter. The European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production
This convention was opened for signature by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 2 October 1992 and came into force on 1 April 1994 when five member states of the Council had ratified it. No decision has been taken to date on whether Ireland will sign this convention. However, my Department is in discussion with Council of Europe officials on the matter.
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