Frances Fitzgerald
Question:101 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland will sign the UN Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. [13174/98]
Written Answers. - Safety of UN Personnel.
The adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel reflected the widespread concern felt at the growing number of deaths and injuries resulting from deliberate attacks against United Nations and associated personnel. Attacks against or other mistreatment of personnel who act on behalf of the United Nations are unjustifiable and unacceptable.
The current international position is that the convention is not yet in force and will not enter into force until 30 days after the deposit with the Secretary General of the instruments of ratification, acceptance or accession of 22 countries. As of 3 June 1998, 43 states had signed the convention and 18 states were parties to it. Given that the convention remained open for signature until 31 December 1995, Ireland is not now in a position to sign the convention. In order to become party to the convention, Ireland will have to proceed by way of accession.
It is clear from an examination of the terms of the convention that domestic legislative measures will have to be enacted in order to give effect to the provisions of the convention in Irish law. I wish to assure the House that, once the legislation has been put in place, there will be no delay on the part of the Department of Foreign Affairs in taking the appropriate steps to lodge Ireland's instrument of accession.