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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

124 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of her Department which have been signed but not ratified or acceded to by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; if it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement; if so, when; if legislation is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7198/02]

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following Schedule:

Department of Public Enterprise
International Multilateral Agreements Signed but not Ratified or Acceded to

No.

Agreement

International Organisation Responsible

Place and Date of Signature

Ireland's Position

1.

Protocol to the Convention concerning the International Carriage by Rail

International Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF)

BerneDecember1990

It is proposed to ratify the 1990 Protocol in 2002. The advice of the Attorney General will be sought as to whether legislation is required in order to allow Ireland ratify the Protocol.

2.

Protocol Additional to the Agreement between the Non-Nuclear Weapons States of the European Atomic Energy Community and the International Atomic Energy Agency in implementation of Article III (1) and (4) of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

IAEA

Vienna,22 September,1998.

Ireland intends to ratify the Convention. The necessary legislation for Ireland to ratify the Convention has been passed by the Seanad and is expected to go through the Dáil during this Dáil session.

3.

Montreal Convention on the modernization of the “Warsaw System”

International Civil Aviation Organization

Montreal,28th May,1999.

Ireland signed the Montreal Convention in August, 2000. Primary legislation is now required to ratify and implement the Convention in Ireland. Draft heads of a Bill are in preparation.

4.

1994 Congress of the Universal Postal Union (certain Acts thereof)

Universal Postal Union

Seoul, Korea14 September1994

Ratification of Seoul Agreement to take place early 2002

5.

1999 Congress of the Universal Postal Union (certain Acts thereof)

Universal Postal Union

Beijing,China 1999

Ratification of the Beijing Agreement to take place mid-2002

125.Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of her Department which have not been signed by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; if it is proposed to sign the agreement; if so, when; if legislation is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7213/02]

The information sought by the Deputy is in the following schedule:

International Multilateral Agreements which have not been signed by Ireland

International Agreement

International Organisation Responsible

Place and Date of Opening for signature

Ireland's position

1. Paris Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy.

OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).

Paris29 July, 1960.

To date, Ireland has not seen it appropriate to sign up to this Agreement as Ireland is not satisfied with certain aspects of its content. The matter of Ireland signing up to this Agreement is being kept under review having regard to other Nuclear Safety International Instruments and proposed revision of Nuclear Liability Conventions.

2. Brussels Supplementary Convention

OECD-NEA

Brussels 21 May, 1963.

Ditto.

3. Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Vienna21 May 1963.

Ditto.

4. Joint Protocol relating to the application of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention.

NEA and IAEA.

Vienna,21 September,1988.

Ditto.

5. Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage.

IAEA.

Vienna,29 September,1997.

Ditto.

6. Protocol to amend Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.

IAEA.

Vienna,29 September, 1997.

Ditto.

International Agreement

International Organisation Responsible

Place and Date of Opening for signature

Ireland's position

7. 1999 Protocol to the Convention concerning international carriage by Rail (COTIF) has not been signed by Ireland

Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF)

June 1999 at Vilnius

It is proposed to accede to the 1999 Protocol in 2002. However, the European Communities also propose to accede to the Protocol and a proposal for a decision of the Council will be brought before the Council shortly to allow the Communities to accede to the 1999 Protocol. The advice of the Attorney General will be sought as to whether legislation is required in order to allow Ireland to accede to the 1999 Protocol.

8. Tampere Convention on the provision of Telecommunications Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations

United Nations

New York 18 June, 1998

Consideration is being given to the signature and subsequent ratification of this Convention.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

126 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of her Department being negotiated or prepared; the international organisation, in each case through whose machinery the agreement is being negotiated; if it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement if adopted; if so, if legislation will be required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7228/02]

The information sought by the Deputy is in the following schedule.

Department of Public Enterprise

International Multilateral Agreements under Negotiation

No.

Agreement

International Organisation Responsible

Current Status

1

Negotiations between the European Union and the United States of America in the field of air transport.

EU

The EU Commission has a limited mandate from the Council for the negotiation of a common aviation area between the EU and the US. Discussions on this matter are continuing at Transport Council. Implementing legislation will not be required.

2

Agreement for the establishment of European Aviation Safety Authority

EU

Ireland is a signatory to arrangements concerning the development, acceptance and implementation of Joint Aviation Requirements of the Joint Aviation Authorities of Europe (JAA) being the associated body of the European Civil Aviation Conference of 38 Member States concluded in Cyprus on 11 September, 1990. Formalisation of these arrangements by means of an international convention was put on hold in view of proposals put forward by the EU Commission for the establishment of a European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA). A Regulation establishing EASA has reached the “Common-Position” stage and it is expected to be finally adopted by the end of 2002. It is expected that this will require some minor amending legislation.

3

Negotiations on air transport market access agreements between the European Union and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia in the field of air transport.

EU

Ultimate objective is for a common aviation area between the EU and these countries. Agreements are being negotiated by the European Commission with the individual States. Negotiations have reached completion and it is expected that the agreement will be signed in 2002. Implementing legislation will not be required.

4

EUTELSAT (European Telecommunications Satellite Organisation) Convention

EUTELSAT

It is proposed to accede to amendments to the Convention providing for its privatisation subject to Dáil approval.

5

INTELSAT (International Telecommunication Satellite Organisation) Agreement

INTELSAT

It is proposed to accede to amendments to the Convention providing for its privatisation subject to Dáil approval.

6

European Radio Communications Office (ERO) Amendment Convention

European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)

It is proposed to accede to the amended Convention subject to Dáil approval after the anticipated ratification later this year.

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