Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Instruments.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

90 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Council of Europe instruments in the European Treaty series ratified, or signed without reservation as to ratification by Ireland since 26 June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7076/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

91 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the international multilateral human rights instruments which have been adopted since 26 June 1997; the date on which this will occur in the case of instruments to which Ireland is not yet a party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7077/02]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

92 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the international human rights instruments ratified or signed without reservation as to ratification by Ireland since 26 June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7078/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 92, inclusive, together.

The following Council of Europe instruments in the European Treaty series have been ratified or signed without reservation as to ratification by Ireland since 26 June 1997: European Convention on Cinematographic Coproduction; Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities; European Agreement Relating to Persons Participating in the Proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights; Sixth Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe; 1996 European Social Charter (Revised) and its Additional Protocol Providing for a System of Collective Complaints; Protocol 7 to the European Convention on Human Rights. In addition, the European Landscape Convention will be signed and ratified within the next week.

Ireland has signed or ratified the following international multilateral human rights instruments since 26 June 1997: the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts and on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography; the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Given the large number and range of international human rights instruments in existence or under negotiation, signature or accession may not necessarily be under active consideration in respect of all such agreements at any given time. The situation is kept under review in the context of the ongoing assessment and prioritisation of Ireland's international commitments.