Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

227 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [7204/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

228 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [7219/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

229 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [7234/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 to 229, inclusive, together.

There are two international organisations with multilateral agreements related to social security matters to which Ireland is affiliated – the Council of Europe and the International Labour Organisation. In addition to the conventions which Ireland has both signed and ratified, there are also the following: the Council of Europe's European Convention on Social Security was opened for signature on 14 December 1972, and was signed by Ireland on 23 February 1979. To date only eight of the member states of the Council of Europe have ratified the convention, all but one of which are members of the EU. Accordingly, with one exception, the social security entitlements of persons moving between Ireland and those countries are already protected by the EU regulations on social security. Ratification would require legislation to apply the provisions of the convention to migrant workers from non-EU countries. There are no current proposals to ratify this convention, but my Department is continually monitoring the situation.

A revised European code of social security was opened for signature in Rome on 6 November 1990. Although a number of countries have signed this revised code, it has not yet been ratified by any and therefore has not yet entered into force. Ireland has not signed or ratified this revised code to date. Ratification would commit Ireland to much higher standards of social protection than those currently in force. Ireland has ratified five parts of the 1964 European Code of Social Security relating to sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, old age benefit, family benefit and survivors benefit respectively. My Department is currently examining the position with regard to whether additional parts can now be accepted. There are two relevant international labour conventions which have not been ratified by Ireland – ILO 128 Invalidity, Old Age and Survivors Benefits which was opened for signature on 29 June 1967, and ILO 130 Medical Care and Sickness Benefits which was opened for signature on 25 June 1969. Both would require changes to the Irish legislation and there are no current proposals to ratify either convention. I believe there are no proposed international agreements related to social security matters being negotiated or prepared at present.

Question No. 230 answered with Question No. 20.