Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - International Multilateral Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

622 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government 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. [1024/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

623 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government 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. [1039/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

624 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government 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. [1054/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 622, 623 and 624 together.

The information requested is set out in the following tables:

International Agreements under negotiation

Agreement	International Organisation
Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity	United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Convention on Access to Environmental Information and Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making	United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Draft Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants to the Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution	UN/ECE
Draft Protocol on Heavy Metals to the Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution	UN/ECE
Draft Protocol on NOx, SO2, Ammonia and VOCs to the Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution	UN/ECE

Signature of these agreements will be considered on completion of the negotiations.

International Agreements signed but not ratified

Agreement	Date and Place Opened for Signature	International Organisation	Proposed Action
Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo)	25 February 1991Espoo, Finland	UN/ECE	It is intended to ratify in 1998
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the further reduction of sulphur emissions (Second Sulphur Protocol)	14 June 1994Oslo		It is intended to ratify in 1998
European Charter of Local Self Government	15 October 1985Strasbourg	Council of Europe	Ireland signed Charter on 7 October. Ratification requires Dáil approval and the necessary motion will be brought before the Dáil as soon as possible.
Agreement concerning the Adoption of Uniform conditions for Periodical Technical Inspections of Wheeled Vehicles and the Reciprocal Recognition of Such Inspections	13 November 1997Vienna	UN/ECE	The need for legislation in connection with ratifying the Agreement is under consideration

International Agreements not signed

Agreement	Date and Place Opened for Signature	International Organisation	Proposed Action
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes	17 March 1992Helsinki	UN/ECE	Arrangements being made to deposit Ireland's Instrument of Accession to the Convention
Protocol (Kyoto) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change	16 March 1988New York	United Nations	Arrangements for signature will be made in conjunction with signature by the EU and its Member States
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution concerning the control of emissions of volatile organic compounds or their transboundary fluxes	18 November 1991New York	United Nations	Signature is contingent on the implementation of a number of EU Directives in relation to VOCs.
Convention on Civil Liability for Damage resulting from activities dangerous to the environment	21 June 1993Lugano	Council of Europe	While there are no current proposals for Irish participation, the matter is being kept under review.

I am aware of a number of other international agreements (1949-75), primarily in the road transport area, in which Ireland has not participated.