Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 5

Written Answers. - International Criminal Court.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

35 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure ratification by the Government of the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29243/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As the Deputy will be aware, following the successful outcome of the referendum held last June, Ireland will be in a position to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court once the necessary implementing legislation is prepared and enacted into law by the Oireachtas. As I have stated to this House previously, the task of preparing this legislation falls to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and my Department is very willing to provide any assistance it can to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in this regard.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is a very complex instrument which requires detailed consideration to establish the precise nature and scope of the legal and administrative measures which may need to be taken. An active part is being taken in discussions at the international level in a number of fora, for example, the Council of Europe and the International Criminal Court Preparatory Committee, with the aim of ensuring that the necessary domestic measures are taken by states not only in a timely fashion, but also in a comprehensive and consistent manner.

Ireland, along with its EU partners, has been a consistent supporter of the International Criminal Court. In June of this year the Council of the European Union adopted a common position, the objective of which is to pursue and support an early entry into force of the Rome Statute and the establishment of the court. I remain committed to the speedy ratification by Ireland of the Rome Statute.