Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - International Multilateral Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

203 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which are currently being negotiated or prepared; in each case the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement is being negotiated; whether it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement if adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1018/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

204 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which have been signed but not ratified or acceded to by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; whether it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement; if so, when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1033/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

205 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department to which his attention has been drawn and which have not been signed by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; whether it is proposed to sign the agreement; if so, when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1048/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 204 and 205 tegether.

The following table lists the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources which are currently being negotiated.

International Agreement	International Organisation	Proposals for ratification-accession
Conservation and management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.	UN agreement	Ratification will take place as soon as legal and other requirements inherent in ratification have been identified and delivered on.

Details of the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources which have been signed by the State are set out below.

International Agreement	International Organisation	Date and Place agreement adopted-opened for signature	Date of signature by Ireland
1. 1988 Protocol to Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1976.	International Maritime Organisation.	1 March 1989 - 28 February 1990, London.	Ireland expects to accede to the agreement this year.
2. 1988 Protocol to Loadline Convention 1966.	International Maritime Organisation.	1 March 1989 - 28 February 1990, London.	Ireland expects to accede to the agreement this year.
3. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel 1995.	International Maritime Organisation.	1 January 1996 - 30 September 1990, London.	Ireland expects to accede to the agreement this year.
4. 1993 Torremolinos Protocol relating to the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels.	International Maritime Organisation.	1 July 1993 - 30 June 1994, London.	Ireland expects to accede to this agreement this year.
5. Oil Pollution Response and Co-operation Convention.	International Maritime Organisation.	30 October 1990 - 29 November 1991, London.	Ireland will accede to the agreement this year.
6. Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention).	International Maritime Organisation.	1 October 1996 - 28 September 1997, London.	Ireland will accede to the agreement this year.
7. 1996 Protocol to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1977 (LLMC Protocol).	International Maritime Organisation.	1 October 1996 - 30 September 1997, London.	Ireland will accede to the agreement this year.
8. Protocol to Convention for the Unification of certain rules of law relating to Bills of Lading 1924.	By International Agreement (Belgium is depository).	23 February 1968.	Signature now in the process of lodgement, subject to ratification.
9. Protocol to Convention for the Unification of certain rules of law relating to Bills of Lading 1924.	By International Agreement (Belgium is depository).	21 December 1979.	Signature by Ireland currently in the process of lodgement, subject to ratification.

Details of the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources which have been signed but not ratified are set out below.

International Agreement	International Organisation	Date and Place agreement adopted-opened for signature	Proposals for Ratification
1. The International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), 1994.	International Tropical Timber Organisation.	14 May, 1996.	It is hoped to ratify this agreement early this year.
Protocol to the London Dumping Convention.	International Maritime Organisation.	8 November, 1996, London.	Ireland will ratify the signature this year.