John Gormley
Question:149 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will bring forward legislation to implement the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. [2607/01]
Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.
The Statute of the Inter national 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 has 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 I understand that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has 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.
Assuming a successful outcome to a Constitutional referendum it will then be necessary for my Department to bring forward the necessary legislation to give effect to the Statute in Irish law. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is a very complex instrument and requires detailed consideration to establish exactly what would be required by way of amending legislation to enable us to ratify the Statute. The legislation required to give effect in Irish law to the Statute will be very substantial considering the complex issues that arise to be dealt with but I can assure the Deputy that the legislation will be introduced as quickly as possible having regard to other high priority legislative requirements.