Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 6

Written Answers. - Bilateral Agreements.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

143 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the ratification of the seven bilateral agreements agreed and signed between the European Union and Switzerland in 1999; the member states that have already ratified these agreements; and the laws and regulations which need to be amended to enable Ireland to ratify. [15221/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the seven agreements which were signed between the European Community and Switzerland on 21 June 1999. Of these agreements, those dealing with air transport, rail and road transport, public procurement, scientific and technological co-operation, mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment and agriculture are of exclusive Community competence and the Community and Switzerland only are parties to them.

The seventh agreement deals with the free movement of persons. The position with regard to this agreement is that it is one involving mixed competence and accordingly the member states are also parties to it, in addition to the European Community and Switzerland. With the approval of the Government, the agreement was signed, subject to ratification, on behalf of Ireland in Luxembourg on 21 June 1999. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is at present examining what legislative provisions need to be taken so that it may be ratified by Ireland as soon as possible.

The agreement on the free movement of persons has already been ratified by the following parties:

Austria	11 July 2000
Denmark	14 December 2000
Portugal	18 December 2000
Italy	12 February 2001
Spain	19 February 2001
United Kingdom	17 January 2001
Sweden	2 March 2001
Switzerland	16 October 2000

I understand that Luxembourg has completed the domestic procedures allowing it to ratify and that its instrument of ratification will be deposited with the Secretary General of the European Council shortly. Yet to ratify are Belgium, Germany, Greece, France, Netherlands, Finland and Ireland. Ratification on behalf of the Community needs to await ratification by all the member states.