Written Answers. - International Multilateral Agreements.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
711
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of her 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 she will make a statement on the matter.
[1026/98]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
712
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of her 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 and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1041/98]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
713
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of her 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 and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1056/98]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhreacha 711 go 713, araon gan áireamh le chéile.
The international agreements currently being negotiated include the Proposed UNESCO Convention on the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Following the adoption by the UNESCO General Conference, 29th Session, on 12 November 1997, of Resolution 6.3 concerning the advisability of preparing an international instrument for the protection of the underwater cultural heritage, a draft Convention on the Underwater Cultural Heritage is currently being prepared by UNESCO for circulation to member states for consideration. My Department will consider this draft of the proposed convention when available.
Of international agreements not yet signed, the European Convention on Transfrontier Television has not yet been signed by Ireland. The body responsible for the convention is the Council of Europe and it was opened for signature in Strasbourg on 5 May 1989. This convention is being amended at present and it is Ireland's intention to proceed with the signing and ratification of this convention as soon as possible after the present amending procedure is complete.
Ireland has not yet signed the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production but administrative work and consultation preparatory to its signature is now at an advanced stage. I expect to be in a position to adhere to the convention in the first half of this year. The body responsible for the convention is the Council of Europe and it was opened for signature on 2 October 1992.
The Unidroit Convention on stolen or illegally exported cultural objects which was adopted in Rome on 24 June 1995 has not yet been signed. The convention was prepared under the aegis of the International Institute for the Unification of private law, known as "Unidroit". Unidroit is based in Italy and was effectively acting as an agent for UNESCO. It is my intention that this convention will be signed by Ireland. To this end, following the recent report of the Law Reform Commission report which recommended accession to the convention, I have agreed to take the lead in discussing the initial issues in relation to the question of ratification and of subsequent implementation of the convention with my Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Attorney General. Ratification and implementation may require legislative action.
The European Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property, which was opened for signature by the Council of Europe at Delphi, Greece, on 23 June 1985, has not to date been signed by Ireland. The question of Ireland's possible participation in this convention is being considered by my Department.
The question of signing the ASCOBANS Agreement under the Bonn Convention (Agreement for the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas) is being considered at present. The agreement was opened for signature in New York in 1992 under the auspices of the United Nations.
The European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages was opened for signature by the Council of Europe for signing on 5 November 1992. The question of this country signing is under consideration.
International agreements signed but not ratified include the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention). Ireland has signed in 1954, but to date has not ratified, the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the Hague Convention, which was opened for signature at The Hague on 14 May 1954. UNESCO is currently considering revision of the convention in order to strengthen it. My Department is currently reviewing the question of ratification of the convention and will participate in UNESCO's consideration of revision of the convention.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, was opened for signature in March 1973 in Washington D.C. and Ireland signed it the following year. It is administered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme. This convention cannot be ratified until the amendments to the Wildlife Act, 1976, which I propose to introduce later this year, have been enacted.
The agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, under the Bonn Convention, was opened at the Hague on 16 October 1995 and Ireland signed it on 27 September 1996. The agreement was negotiated through the machinery of the United Nations Environment Programme. This agreement cannot be ratified until the amendments to the Wildlife Act, 1976, which I propose to introduce later this year, have been enacted.
