Vol. 491 No. 5
43 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland has no immediate plans to ratify the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages adopted on 17 December 1979 and signed by 80 state parties to date. [12408/98]
The current position in relation to the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages is that there are 40 signatories and 83 states parties to the convention.
While Ireland has no immediate plans to ratify the convention, the possibility of ratification is under active consideration. It is one of a number of international conventions relating to terrorism which are currently being examined by the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to possible ratification by Ireland.
In order to enable Ireland accede to the convention, the terms of the convention must be examined to determine whether domestic legislative measures are required to give effect to the provisions of the convention in Irish law. Once the legislative position has been clarified and any necessary legislation put in place, Ireland's instrument of accession could then be lodged.
