Vol. 492 No. 5
74 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has ratified the 1977 European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers; if not, the reason in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14601/98]
The European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers was opened for signature on 24 November 1977. The convention is concerned with the legal situation of migrant workers, in particular employment, residence and work permits, family reunifications, working conditions and the transfer of savings, social security and medical assistance. To date the convention has been ratified by eight of the 40 member states of the Council of Europe. Ireland has not signed the convention.
The question of whether Ireland should become a party to the convention is a matter primarily for those Departments with responsibility in this area, in particular the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
The question of signature and ratification by Ireland of the convention was last examined in 1987. I understand that there are difficulties with some articles of the convention, in particular Article 18, concerning the maintenance of acquired rights to social welfare benefits and rights obtained in the course of acquisition.
