Written Answers. - International Multilateral Agreements.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
279
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
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.
[1019/98]
The following are the multilateral agreements in the negotiation or preparation of which the Department of Foreign Affairs is currently or will shortly be participating: Ireland is participating in negotiations among the states parties to the Convention on the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction — BTWC — to draft proposals to strengthen the convention. It is expected that these negotiations will result in a verification protocol to the BTWC. At the appropriate time, a decision will be taken by the Government on Ireland's accession to the protocol.
On 15 May 1997, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency — IAEA — adopted a draft model protocol aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and improving the efficiency of the safeguards system of the IAEA.
On 1 December 1997, the EU Council approved negotiating directives which authorised the European Commission to negotiate, together with the 13 non-nuclear weapons states — NNWS — of the European Atomic Energy Community — EAEC — and the IAEA, with a view to the conclusion of a protocol additional to the existing 1997 Verification Agreement between the NNWS, the EAEC and the IAEA on the basis of the draft model protocol. These negotiations will commence in Vienna in February 1998. At the appropriate time, a decision will be taken by the Government on Ireland's accession to the protocol.
The 52nd (1997) UN General Assembly decided that a Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries, open to all member states of the UN or members of specialised agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency, should be held in Rome from 15 June to 17 July 1998 with a view to finalising and adopting a convention on the establishment of an international criminal court. Ireland, which is firmly committed to the establishment of an international criminal court, will be represented at the conference. At the appropriate time, a decision will be taken by the Government on Ireland's accession to the convention.
The Partnership and Co-operation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their member states, of the one part, and the Republic of Turkmenistan, of the other part, was initialled at Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan on 24 May 1997. It is expected that the Agreement will be brought forward for signature by member states in the course of the coming months. The Minister for Foreign Affairs shall propose that Ireland ratify the Agreement at an appropriate opportunity thereafter.
The European Community and its member states are currently negotiating or preparing to negotiate Euro-Mediterranean Agreements with Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. A decision on signature will be taken by the Government following completion of the negotiations. Negotiations with Algeria are to start at an appropriate time. The European Community and its member states is also currently negotiating with South Africa on a Trade and Co-operation Agreement and with Switzerland on a range of sectoral Agreements. A decision on signature will be taken by the Government following completion of the negotiations.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
280
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
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.
[1034/98]
As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary responsibilities of the Department of Foreign Affairs is the pursuance of Ireland's foreign policy objectives in the international arena. In that context, a great number of international agreements covering a wide range of subjects fall under the auspices of the Department and it must consider on an ongoing basis the desirability of Ireland becoming party to those agreements to which it is not already party. Given the range of international agreements involved, it would not be practicable to furnish the information sought by the Deputy in relation to every such agreement. However, I am anxious to facilitate the Deputy in as far as is practicable and I am, therefore, circulating in the Official Report an indicative list of international agreements which Ireland has signed, but not ratified. I would once again stress that, given the number of agreements coming under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs, this list should not be treated as complete. If the Deputy has a particular interest in these or other international agreements, he might point these out to me and I will provide him with any information he requires in relation to those agreements.
Council of Europe Conventions: European Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Strasbourg, 29 April 1957. This convention was signed by Ireland in 1957 but never ratified. Ratification is not under active consideration as the convention is out-dated and does not appear to be applied; European Convention on the Abolition of Legalisation of Documents Executed by Diplomatic Agents or Consular Officals, London, 7 June 1968. This convention was signed by Ireland in 1996 but never ratified. Ratification is under active consideration and it is hoped Ireland will be in a position to ratify the convention in the very near future; Protocol number 7 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Strasbourg, 22 November 1984. This protocol was signed by Ireland in 1984 but never ratified. Ratification is under active consideration and it is hoped Ireland will be in a position to ratify the protocol in the very near future.
United Nations Conventions: The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, adopted by the resumed 50th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 10 September 1996. This convention was negotiated within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament. The treaty was opened for signature in New York on 24 September, 1996 and was signed, subject to ratification, by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs on that date. A decision has not yet been taken on when Ireland will ratify this treaty. The Department will consider, in consultation with other Departments, what steps, if any, are required to be taken before this treaty is ratified; Geneva protocols. The two 1997 Geneva Protocols, supplemental to the four 1949 "Red Cross" Geneva Conventions, have yet to be ratified by Ireland. The legislation required to implement the terms of those protocols into domestic Irish law has been prepared and will be before the Oireachtas in due course to enable Ireland to become party of the conventions.
EU Agreements: The Treaty of Amsterdam was negotiated by an inter governmental Conference of the member states of the European Union. It was opened for signature at Amsterdam on 2 October 1997 and signed on behalf of the 15 EU Heads of State — in Ireland's case the Commission authorised by Article 14 of the Constitution of Ireland to exercise and perform the powers and functions of the President of Ireland — on that date. Before the treaty can be ratified by Ireland an amendment of the Constitution and an amendment of the European Communities Acts will be necessary. The Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1998 was published on 27 January and will be presented to Dáil Éireann very shortly. Following passage of the Bill through Dáil and Seanad Éireann, the amendment will be put to the people for decision in a referendum. Subject to approval of the amendment in the referendum, I shall introduce legislation in due course to amend the European Communities Acts as necessary prior to ratification; Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its member states of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its party states of the other part. This agreement with Mercosur was signed on 15 December 1995. Ireland hopes to be in a position to ratify the agreement in the near future.
Framework Cooperation Agreement in preparation for the eventual establishment of a political and economic association between the European Community and its member states of the one part and the Republic of Chile of the other part, and the attached Joint Declaration of Political Dialogue. This agreement with Chile was signed on 21 June 1996. Ireland hopes to be in a position to ratify the agreement in the near future; Framework Agreement for Trade and Cooperation between the European Community and its member states of the one part and the Republic of Korea of the other part. This agreement with South Korea was signed on 28 October 1996. Ireland hopes to be in a position to ratify the agreement in the near future; Global Agreement on Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation between the European Community and its member states of the one part and the United States of Mexico of the other part, and the attached Final Act. This agreement with Mexico was signed on 8 December 1997. Ireland hopes to be in a position to ratify the agreement in the near future; Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its member states of the one part and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan of the other part. This agreement with Jordan was signed on 25 November 1997. Ireland hopes to be in a position to ratify the agreement in the near future
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
281
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
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.
[1049/98]
As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary responsibilities of the Department of Foreign Affairs is the pursuance of Ireland's foreign policy objectives in the international arena. In that context, a great number of international agreements covering a wide range of subjects fall under the auspices of the Department and it must consider on an ongoing basis the desirability of Ireland signing those agreements which it has not already signed. The Deputy will appreciate that there is a wide range of international agreements involved and that it would not be practicable to furnish the information sought by the Deputy in relation to every such agreement. However, I am anxious to facilitate the Deputy in as far as is practicable and I am therefore, circulating in the Official Report an indicative list of international agreements which Ireland has not signed. I would once again stress that, given the number of agreements coming under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs, this list should not be treated as complete. If the Deputy has a particular interest in any of the agreements listed or in any other international agreements, he might point these out to me and I will provide him with any information he requires.
Council of Europe Conventions: Third Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 6 March 1959. Signature is not under active consideration. The protocol relates only to members of the Council of Europe Resettlement Fund, of which Ireland is not a member; European Convention on Consular Functions, Paris, 11 December 1967. Signature is not under active consideration. This convention is not in force; Protocol to the European Convention on Consular Functions, Paris, 11 December 1967. The Protocol cannot be signed unless the convention itself is signed; Second Protocol to the European Convention on Consular Functions, Paris, 11 December 1967. The protocol cannot be signed unless the convention itself is signed; European Convention on Information on Foreign Law, London, 7 June 1968. Signature is not under active consideration; European Convention on State Immunity, Basle, 16 May 1972. Signature is not under active consideration; Additional Protocol to the European Convention on State Immunity, Basle, 16 May 1972. The protocol cannot be signed unless the convention itself is signed; European Convention on the non-Applicability of Statutory Limitation to Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes. Strasbourg, 25 January 1974. Signature is not under active consideration. This convention is not in force; European Convention on the Service Abroad of Documents Relating to Administrative Matters, Strasbourg, 24 November 1977. Signature is not under active consideration; Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law, Strasbourg, 15 March 1978. The protocol cannot be signed unless the convention itself is signed; European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations, Strasbourg, 24 April 1986. Signature is not under active consideration; European Agreement relating to Persons Participating in Proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights. Ireland will sign and ratify the agreement by 1 November 1998. The establishment of the new European Court of Human Rights from 1 November 1998, requires signature and ratification of this agreement; Sixth Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges of the Council of Europe. Ireland will sign and ratify the protocol by 1 November 1998. The establishment of the new European Court of Human Rights from 1 November 1998, requires signature and ratification of this protocol; United Nations Conventions: The United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. This convention was opened for signing at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 12 January 1998. The convention was negotiated at the United Nations General Assembly. The Department is currently examining the text of the convention and will shortly consult other interested Departments. My hope is that the convention can be signed by Ireland in the relatively near future; The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. This convention was concluded and opened for signature at Vienna on 23 May 1989. While it is proposed to sign this convention, further consideration will be necessary due to its complex provisions; The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organisations or between International Organisations. This convention was concluded and opened for signature at Vienna on 21 March 1986. While it is proposed to sign this convention, further consideration will be necessary due to its complex provisions; The International Convention of the Safety and Security of United Nations and Associated Personnel. This convention was adopted and opened for signature at New York on 9 December 1994. No date has been set as yet for Ireland's signature of this convention.
OSCE Conventions: OSCE Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration; a convention on Conciliation and Arbitration was concluded within the OSCE on 15 December 1992. The purpose of the convention is the establishment of a Court of Conciliation and Arbitration for the settlement of disputes. The question of Ireland signing this convention is under consideration.
