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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - International Statutes.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

105 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will indicate a timescale for the ratification and passing of the necessary legislation for the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2232/01]

Liz McManus

Question:

112 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he will bring forward legislation to provide for the constitutional amendment required to enable Ireland to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2252/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 112 together.

The Statute of the International Criminal Court was concluded at Rome on 17 July 1998 and was signed, subject to ratification, by Ireland on 7 October 1998. It will enter into force approximately two months after 60 states have become party to it. My information is that, to date, 139 states have signed the statute and, of these, 27 have ratified it.

The Government have been advised by the Attorney General that an amendment to the Constitution is required before the State may ratify the statute. The Government has accordingly authorised the drafting of a Bill containing a proposal to amend the Constitution and, in this regard, I have asked the chairman of the Government legislation committee to arrange for the draft Bill to be given priority in the Government's current legislation programme. At a meeting held on 22 January, the Government agreed that preparations should be put in train in respect of the referendum to be held in relation to the International Criminal Court.

In connection with the actual ratification process itself, apart from the need to amend the Constitution and, therefore, the need for a referendum approving such an amendment, an in-depth analysis of the statute by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform together with my Department, the Office of the Attorney General and other appropriate bodies is also necessary to determine the exact legislative and administrative measures which may need to be adopted for Ireland to be in a position to meet its obligations under this very complex statute.

Ireland and all other member states of the European Union have committed themselves to taking whatever measures are required within their respective domestic legal systems to enable them to ratify the statute expeditiously. In addition, they have called on all states to sign and ratify the statute as a matter of priority so that its entry into force can be secured at an early date. I am not in a position at this point to state definitively how long this process might take, but I assure the Deputies that the timely ratification and entry into force of the statute will continue to be given a high priority by my Department.

Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 100.

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