Vol. 544 No. 3
438 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legislative proposals being put in place to enable the Government to ratify the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court; and when the process will be completed. [29016/01]
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 139 states have signed the statute and, of these, 44 have ratified it. It will be necessary for my Department to introduce implementing legislation to give effect to the terms of the statute in Irish law following the successful outcome of the constitutional referendum earlier this year. The Rome statute is a very complex instrument that requires detailed consideration to establish exactly what will be required by way of legislation to enable us to ratify it. Even a cursory examination of the statute will give an idea of the intricate issues to be dealt with and the legislation required to give it effect in Irish law will be very substantial.
A careful and detailed examination of the statute is taking place in my Department in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General's office to determine the precise nature and scope of the legal and administrative measures which may need to be taken in order so that we will be in a position to meet our obligations under the statute. I am happy to report that substantial progress is being made in this regard. The legislative changes needed to give effect to the statute in law, following completion of this examination, will be introduced as soon as possible, having regard to other high priority legislative requirements.
