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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 2

Written Answers. - UN Conventions.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

130 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of international conventions of the UN in the area of international terrorism which remain to be signed, ratified or implemented by Ireland; the number upon which work is already taking place; the number which will come before this session of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21437/02]

Ireland is currently party to five of the 12 universal conventions relating to terrorism:

– Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, 1963;
– Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, 1970;
– Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, 1971;
– Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials, 1980; and
– Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports Serving International Aviation, complementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, 1988.
Ireland has also signed, subject to ratification, the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, 1997, and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, 1999.
Following 11 September and the adoption of UN Security Council Resolutions 1368 and 1373, the question of ratification of the outstanding seven conventions was prioritised. It was concluded that Ireland may become party to one of the outstanding conventions, the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection, 1991, without primary legislation. Dáil approval is to be sought for the terms of the convention, in accordance with Article 29.5.2 of the Constitution. On 17 October the proposal was referred to the select committee on foreign affairs for its consideration. The Government hopes that the committee will deal with this matter promptly and, subject to Dáil approval, would intend to deposit the instrument of accession before Christmas.
All six of the remaining conventions contain provisions which require the introduction of primary legislation before Ireland may become a party. The Government's legislative programme, published on 7 October, highlights the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill, 2002, as one of 15 bills for publication before the Christmas recess. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, hopes to publish the bill within that time-frame and its enactment would permit the Government to immediately make arrangements for Ireland to become a party to the following four outstanding conventions:
– Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, 1973;
– International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, 1979;
– International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, 1997; and
– International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, 1999.
The Government's legislative programme also includes a suppression of unlawful acts against the safety of maritime navigation and offshore fixed platforms Bill, which is being advanced by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. This Bill is expected to be published in early 2003 and its enactment would permit ratification of the final two conventions:
– Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, 1988;
– Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf, 1988.
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