Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

84 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources 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. [7196/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

85 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources 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. [7211/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

86 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources 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. [7226/02]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 to 86, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to international multilateral agreements, signed or not signed by the State, is set out in the following tables:

Agreements which have been signed but not ratified or acceded to

Name of Agreement	Date and place it was opened for signature	Internationalorganisation	Is it proposed to ratify?	When will it be ratified?	Is legislation required?
International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems, 2001.	1 February 2002 to 30 January 2003, London.	International Maritime Organisation (IMO).	Yes.	2003	Yes. Currently being prepared.
Agreement relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks.	4 December 1995 – New York.	United Nations.	Yes. There is a mixed competence dimension to ratification between EU and Member States.	2002	Definitive decision shortly.

Agreements which have not been signed by the State

Name of Agreement	Date and place it was opened for signature	International organisation	If/when it is proposed to sign	Is legislation required?
1988 Protocol to Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974.	1 March 1989-28 February 1990,London.	IMO.	*Ireland expects to accede this year.	Statutory Instrument is required.
1988 Protocol to Load Line Convention, 1966.	1 March 1989-28 February 1990,London.	IMO.	*Ireland expects to accede this year.	Statutory Instrument is required.
International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage.	1 October 2001-30 September 2002,London.	IMO.	Under consideration.	Yes. Currently being prepared.
International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in connection with the carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996.	1 October 1996-30 September 1997,London.	IMO.	Ireland expects to accede on enactment of legislation.	Legislation for accession (Sea Pollution Bill, 2000) commenced Second Stage in Dáil, February 2001.
Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000.	15 March 2000-14 March 2001,London.	IMO.	Ireland expects to accede on enactment of legislation.	Legislation for accession is being prepared.

*Note: Accession by means of statutory instrument is the appropriate mechanism for non-signatory States in the above instances.

A protocol to supplement the international convention on the establishment of an international fund for compensation for oil pollution damage is currently under preparation in the IMO. Legislation will be required for ratification of the protocol, when it is finalised.