Written Answers. - International Agreements.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:
391
Ms F. Fitzgerald
asked the
Minister for Justice
the proposed international agreements under the auspices of her Department which are currently being drafted or prepared; and the international organisation, if any, responsible for the proposed agreement in each case.
[19422/96]
The information sought by the Deputy as regards proposed international agreements in relation to my Department's area of responsibility is as follows:
1. Convention on the improvement of extradition between the member states of the European Union.
2. Protocol to the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests.
3. Draft EU Convention on a European Information System
4. Draft Convention on the crossing by persons of the external frontiers of the member states of the European Union.
The international organisation in the case of each of the above international agreements is the European Union.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:
392
Ms F. Fitzgerald
asked the
Minister for Justice
the international agreements under the auspices of her 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.
[19441/96]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to my Department is as follows:
1. Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
International Organisation: United Nations.
Opened for signature: Vienna, 19 December, 1988; signed on 14 December, 1989.
The necessary legislation has been enacted and it is intended that Ireland will ratify the Convention as soon as implementing measures are in place to enable the legislation to be brought fully into effect.
2. Convention on Simplified Extradition Procedures between the Member States of the European Union.
International Organisation: European Union.
Opened for signature and signed in Brussels on 10 March, 1995.
It is intended that Ireland will ratify this Convention as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place.
3. Convention on the Protection of the European Communities' financial interests.
International Organisation: European Union.
Opened for signature and signed in Brussels on 26 July, 1995.
It is intended that Ireland will ratify this Convention as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place.
4. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
International Organisation: United Nations.
Adopted: New York, 10 December 1984; entered into force: 26 June, 1987.
The Convention was signed by Ireland on 28 September 1992.
It is hoped that the State will be in a position to ratify the Convention during 1996.
5. Convention determining the State responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Communities.
International Organisation: European Union.
Signed: 15 June, 1990.
This Convention is between the member states of the European Communities as existed at the time of signature.
The Refugee Bill, 1995, which is currently before the Select Committee on Legislation and Security, contains a provision which will allow for the ratification of this Convention.
6. Convention on the Compensation of Victims of Violent Crime.
International Organisation: Council of Europe.
Opened for signature: 1983.
The question of signature and ratification by Ireland of the Convention is being examined. Doubts have been raised as to whether certain terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted comply with the terms of the Convention. The question of Ireland acceding to the Convention is being examined in the context of a review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme which is being carried out at present.
7. Europol Convention.
International Organisation: European Union.
Opened for signature: 25 July, 1995.
One issue concerning this Convention, i.e. possible jurisdiction to be attributed to the European Court of Justice, is still outstanding. The European Council decided this issue should be resolved at the latest by its meeting in June, 1996. It is proposed that Ireland will sign and ratify this Convention and the legislation necessary in this connection is being addressed at present.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:
393
Ms F. Fitzgerald
asked the
Minister for Justice
the international agreements under the auspices of her 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.
[19456/96]
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is as follows:
1. Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Additional Protocol to the Convention.
International Organisation: Council of Europe.
Opened for signature: Convention — Strasbourg, 20 April, 1959: Additional Protocol — Strasbourg, 17 March, 1978.
The necessary legislation has been enacted and it is intended that Ireland will sign and ratify the Convention and the Additional Protocol as soon as implementing measures are in place to enable the legislation to be brought fully into effect.
2. Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds of Crime.
International Organisation: Council of Europe.
Opened for signature: Strasbourg, 8 November 1990.
The necessary legislation has been enacted and it is intended that Ireland will sign and ratify the Convention as soon as implementing measures are in place to enable the legislation to be brought fully into effect.
3. Agreement between the member states of the European Communities on the simplification and modernisation of methods of transmitting extradition requests.
International Organisation: European Union.
Opened for signature: San Sebastian, 26 May 1989.
It is intended that Ireland will sign this Agreement as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place.
4. Protocols No. 1 and No. 2 to the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
International Organisation: Council of Europe.
Open for signature: on 4 November 1993.
It is intended that Ireland will accede to both Protocols in February, 1996. Both Protocols will be signed without reservation, i.e. they will be ratified on the same day.
5. International Civil Aviation Organisation Convention on the marking of plastic explosives.
International Organisation: International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Date Adopted: Montreal, 1991.
A review of existing legislative provisions on explosives is at an advanced stage within my Department with a view to assessing the adequacy of these provisions to meet Ireland's obligations on signature and ratification of this Convention.
