Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

253 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands 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. [7205/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

254 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands 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. [7220/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

255 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands 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. [7235/02]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 255, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out below. The information is given in the following format: The title of the proposed international multilateral agreement agreed but not signed, the date and place it was opened for signature, if it is proposed to sign, ratify or accede to the agreement – and if so when. The Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage Ireland supported the adoption by UNESCO in November 2001 and ratification is under consideration.

The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of armed conflict was signed on 14 May 1954 and it is hoped to ratify this convention in 2004. The Agreement on the Conservation of Africa – Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, AEWA, in The Hague, October 1995 was signed on 27 August 1996. Government approval for ratification will be sought in the near future.

The Convention on Transfrontier Television was opened for signature on 5 May 1989, in Strasbourg, France, Council of Europe. It is proposed to sign. In 2002 it was opened for signature on 9 September 1998 in Strasbourg, France, Council of Europe. It is proposed to sign in 2002. Annex V of OSPAR, Convention for the Protection of The Marine Environment of the North/East Atlantic, relating to marine biodiversity entered into force on 31 October 2000, OSPAR Commission. Government approval for ratification will be sought in the near future. The European Charter For Regional or Minority Languages opened for signature, Council of Europe Unidroit Convention on Stolen or illegally Exported Cultural Objects United Nations, 24 June 1995. It is proposed to sign.