Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

280 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the international agreements under the auspices of his Department which, as of 1 June 1998, have not been signed by the State and which it is proposed that the State should sign or become a party to; the international organisation, if any, responsible for the agreement in each case; the date and place each agreement was adopted or opened for signature; and when it is proposed to sign each agreement or become a party to it. [13971/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Deputy will appreciate that signature by Ireland of an international agreement is a matter for decision by Government. There are a considerable number of international multilateral agreements which may impinge, in one form or another, in relation to my Department's areas of responsibilities. The following is information in relation to international agreements which have not been signed but which it would be my intention at the present time to seek to have signed as soon as any necessary examination or arrangements are in place.

Agreement	Date and Place opened for signature	International Organisation, if any	Whether it is proposed to sign agreement
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination	New York, 21 December 1965	United Nations	The necessary steps for ratification of the convention will be taken once the Employment Equality Bill, 1998 and revised equal status legislation are in place. It is envisaged that the Employment Equality Bill will be signed by the President this week and that the revised Equal Status Bill will be published later this year.
Agreement between the Member States of the European Communities on the Simplification and Modernisation of Methods of transmitting extradition requests	26 May 1989 at San Sebastian	European Union	It is intended that Ireland will sign the agreement as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place
Second Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition	13 December 1977 at Paris	Council of Europe	It is intended that Ireland will sign the protocol as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place
Agreement on Illicit Traffic by Sea, implementing Article 17 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances	31 January 1995, Strasbourg	Council of Europe	Before the end of 1998
Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and cooperation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children	19 October 1996, Hague	Hague Conference on Private International Law	Signature and ratification is proposed as soon as necessary legislation is in place

There are other international agreements which have not been signed by Ireland and in respect of which signature has not been proposed or remains under consideration. Many of these agreements are long-standing and vary in their potential application to and interest for the State. Should the Deputy be concerned to seek the position in relation to any particular international agreement, I should be glad to furnish her with any available information.