Vol. 501 No. 3
321 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Council of Europe 1996 Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights will be ratified; the steps, if any, taken towards ratification of the convention since 26 June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5885/99]
The Council of Europe Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights is not in force because the requisite number of states has not ratified the convention. The question of ratification by the State is under consideration. I previously indicated to the House in the course of debate on the Bill which led to the Children Act, 1997, that the Bill contained certain provisions which would facilitate ratification of the convention.
The Act is now operational apart from two important sections. These are sections 26, social reports in District Court, and 28, appointment of guardian ad litem for a child and provision for separate representation of a child. Those two sections, which have some bearing on membership of the convention, have financial and staffing implications for the Probation and Welfare Service and health boards. The implications are being addressed in the context of current overall reviews of delivery of services in these areas and a decision on membership of the convention will be announced in due course.
322 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when Ireland will ratify the convention to extend the Brussels Convention to family law; the measures in progress in this regard; the steps, if any, taken towards ratification of the convention since its adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5891/99]
323 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when Ireland will ratify the Hague Convention of 1 June 1970 on the recognition of divorces and legal separations; the steps, if any, taken towards ratification of the convention since 26 June 1997 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5902/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
The ratification by the State of the convention on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters, the Brussels II Convention, which was signed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 28 May 1998, will require primary legislation. Progress on the preparation of heads of legislation is subject to disposal of other legislative priorities and details of the proposals in this regard will be announced in the normal way in due course when they have been approved by the Government.
The question of the ratification by the State of the Hague Convention on the Recognition of Divorces and Legal Separations will be considered in the context of the preparation of legislation to ratify the Brussels II Convention.
