Written Answers. - International Multilateral Agreements. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Wednesday, 19 May 1999

Written Answers. - International Multilateral Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

216 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department being negotiated or prepared; the international organisation, if any, in each case through whose machinery the agreement is being negotiated; if it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement if adopted; if so, if legislation will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13190/99]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement :

Agreement being negotiated/prepared	International organisation involved	Whether it is proposed to ratify/accede	Will legislation be required
Eurodac	EU	Yes	Legislation may be required.

Optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.	UN	The Government's decision will be announced in due course.	To be examined.

Revision of Brussels Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters.	EU	To be decided in due course.	Depends on final form of the instrument.

Revision of Lugano Convention on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters.	EU/EFTA	To be decided in due course.	Yes.

Convention on the Law Applicable to Non-Contractual Obligations.	EU	To be decided in due course.	Depends on final form of the instrument.

Draft International Instrument on Civil Remedies for Compensation for damage resulting from act of corruption.	Council of Europe.	To be decided in due course.	Depends on final form of the instrument.

Draft Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.	EU	Yes	Yes

Draft Convention on Organised Crime.	UN	It is proposed, depending on the content, to rafity or accede to the agreement if adopted.	Likely

Draft Convention on Cyber-Crime.	Council of Europe.	It is proposed, depending on the content, to ratify or accede to the agreement, if adopted.	Probably

A framework for action on combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment.	EU	Yes, if adopted.	This will be dependant on the final text.

Draft Joint Action on Asset-Sharing.	EU	Yes, if adopted.	This will be dependant on the final text of the joint action.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

217 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which have not been signed by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; if it is proposed to sign the agreement; if so, when; if legislation is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/99]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement:

Agreement	Date and place opened for signature	International organisation (if any)	Whether it is proposed to sign agreement	Will legislation be required
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents	14 December 1973, New York	United Nations	It is intended that Ireland will sign the Convention as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place	Yes

Agreement	Date and place opened for signature	International organisation (if any)	Whether it is proposed to sign agreement	Will legislation be required
International Convention against the Taking of Hostages	17 December 1979,New York	United Nations	It is intended that Ireland will sign the Convention as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place	Yes

Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection	1 March 1991, Montreal	International Civil Aviation Authority	It is intended that Ireland will sign the Convention as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place	Yes

European Convention on Nationality	7 November 1997, Strasbourg	Council of Europe	Under consideration	Under consideration

Second Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition	13 December 1977, Paris	Council of Europe	It is intended that Ireland will sign the Protocol as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place

Agreement between the Member States of the European Communities on the Simplification and Modernisation of Methods of transmitting extradition requests	26 May 1989, San Sebastian	European Union	It is intended that Ireland will sign the Agreement 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	It is intended that Ireland sign the Agreement as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place

Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and co-operation 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 Protection of Children (Hague Convention) Bill, 1998, is passed	Yes

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, on my Department's areas of responsibilities.

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 shall be glad to furnish him with any available information.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

218 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which have been signed but not ratified or acceded to by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; if it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement; if so, when; if legislation is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13220/99]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement:

Name of the agreement and date signed	Date and place opened for signature	International organisation (if any)	Whether it is proposed to ratify/accede. If so, when this will occur	Will legislation be required
UN Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings.29 May 1998	New York,12 January 1998	United Nations	Yes: As soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place	Yes

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.Signed by Ireland on 21 March 1968	New York,21 December 1965	United Nations	Ratification is proposed as soon as the necesary legislation has been enacted	Yes. Further necessary legislation, following the enactment last year of the Employment Equality Act, 1998, is the Equal Status Bill, 1999, which was introduced recently

First Protcol concerning the interpretation by the Court of Justice of the Convention on Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations.Signed by Ireland: 19 December 1988	Brussles, 19 June 1980	European Union	Yes. Measures necessary to ratify the protcol to be reviewed subject to disposal of legisaltive priorities	Yes.

Convention on the Accession of Spain and Portugal to the Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations.Signed by Ireland: 18 May 1992	Funchal, 18 May 1992	European Union	Yes. The legislation necessary to ratify the Convention will be dealt with subject to disposal of legislative priorities	Yes

European Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights.Signed by Ireland: 25 January 1996	Strasbourg,25 January 1996	Council of Europe	Arrangements to ratify the Convention will be made when certain provisions in the Children Act, 1997, are brought into force	Primary legislation will not be required

Convention on Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations (as amended) and to the First and Second Protocols on its interpretation by the Court of Justice.Signed by Ireland: 29 Nember 1996	Brussels, 29 November 1996	European Union	Yes. The legislation necessary to enable ratification of convention will be dealt with subject to disposal of legislative priorities	Yes

Convention on the Service in the Member States of the European Union of Judicial and Extra Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters and the Protocol on the Interpretation of the Convention by the Court of Justice of the European Communities.Signed by Ireland:26 May 1997	Brussels, 26 May 1997	European Union	Decision deferred pending proposal from Commission on change in form of the Convention	This will depend on the outcome of the Commission's proposal
Name of the agreement and date signed	Date and place opened for signature	International organisation (if any)	Whether it is proposed to ratify/accede. If so, when this will occur	Will legislation be required
Convention on the Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the 1968 Brussels Convention.Signed by Ireland:29 November 1996	Brussels, 29 November 1996	European Union	Yes. Convention is expected to be ratified shortly	Jurisdiction of Courts and Enforcement of Judgments Act, 1998, signed on 23 December 1998

Convention on Jurisdiction and the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Matrimonial Matters and the Protocol on its interpretation by the Court of Justice of the European Communities.Signed by Ireland:28 May 1998	Brussels, 28 May 1998	European Union	Decision deferred pending proposals from Commission on change in form of the Convention	This will depend on the outcome of the Commission's proposal

Convention on Simplified Extradition Procedures between the member states of the European Union.Signed by Ireland:10 March 1995	Brussels, 10 March 1995	European Union	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place

Convention relating to Extradition between the Member States of the European Union.Signed by Ireland:27 September 1996	Dublin, 27 September 1996	European Union	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place.

United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.Signed by Ireland:28 September 1992	New York, December 1984	United Nations	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, which is before Seanad at present, is in place.

Convention on the Protection of the European Communities Financial InterestsSigned by Ireland:26 July 1995	Dublin, 26 July 1995	European Union	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place

Protocol to the Convention on the Protection of the European Communities Finanicial InterestsSigned by Ireland:27 September 1996	Brussels, 27 September 1996	European Union	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place

Second Protcol to the Convention on the Protection of the European Communities Financial Interests.Signed by Ireland:19 June 1997	Brussels, 19 June 1997	European Union	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place
Name of the agreement and date signed	Date and place opened for signature	International organisation (if any)	Whether it is proposed to ratify/accede. If so, when this will occur	Will legislation be required
Protocol to the interpretation, by way of preliminary rulings, by the Court of Justice of the European Communities on the Protection of the European Communities Financial Interests.Signed by Ireland:29 November 1996	Brussels, 29 November 1996	European Union	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place

Convention on Corruption involving Officials of the EU or of Member States of the EU.Signed by Ireland:26 May 1997	Brussels, 26 May 1997	European Union	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place.

Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption.Signed by Ireland:7 May 1999	Strasbourg, 27 January 1999	Council of Europe	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is underway is in place

Convention of the Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.Signed by Ireland:17 December 1997	Paris, 21 November 1997	OECD	Yes	As soon as the necessary implementing legislation, the preparation of which is under way, is in place

European (Council of Europe) Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals(1978)Signed by Ireland:28 June 1978	–	Council of Europe	Still under consideration	No

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 shall be glad to furnish him with any available information.

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 19 May 1999